Santa Fun Run

In a nutshell	In Prestwich Forty-nine Santas, aged from 5 to 75, invaded the streets of Prestwich and Kersal in Greater Manchester one Saturday for a two-mile fun run. Runners were sponsored in aid of the Christian charity Barnabus which works with homeless people in Manchester city centre.
Who has done it?	The event was organised by Geoff Williams from St Paul's, Kersal, and St Andrew's, Carr Clough, Prestwich.
Why do it?	Geoff said: ‘We really wanted to do something positive in this HOPE year to highlight and support the excellent work that Barnabus does with homeless men and women in Manchester. The Santa fun run was a great way to do this, to raise much needed funds and to have a lot of fun at the same time!’
How did it work?	Runner and mum Ruth Saunders ran with her children, Alice, aged 7, and Jacob, aged 9, all dressed as Santa of course. She said, ‘I was a bit embarrassed about being seen out in public dressed as Santa but motorists just kept beeping their car horns and waving, there were even whole busloads of passengers waving as they passed us – it turned out to be a really good laugh and the atmosphere was brilliant!’ Rector of the parish, Rev Lisa Battye, who is always game for a laugh, happily swapped her clerical robes for a Santa suit to join the fun. She said, ‘There was a real spirit of joy throughout the entire event. It was a great way of demonstrating God's love for the world, by supporting those in greatest need whilst enjoying a good laugh with friends old and new.’