LOCAL Frome family, Abi Lyons and her sons Oliver and Matthew, are taking part in Dorothy House Hospice Care’s Santa and Elf Run on Sunday 3rd December, in memory of Abi’s mum.
The hospice was a great help for Abi and since then, she has been an inspiring fundraiser. So far, Abi has taken part in three Dorothy House Moonlight Walks, two Bubble rush events and the Santa and Fairy Fun Run last year. Oliver and Matthew Lyons are pupils at Hayesdown First School in Frome.
Abi Lyons said, “Last year was the first time I took part in the Santa & Fairy fun run and I really enjoyed it. This year I will be taking part with my two sons, Oliver and Matthew, in memory of my wonderful mum, Gill Vowler, who was cared for by the hospice in September 2012.
“I’d highly recommend the fun run to anyone, so throw on a Santa suit and enjoy a jog or a walk around the stunning Winsley countryside; it is a fun way to raise money for a wonderfully caring hospice.”
Steph Cox, community fundraiser at Dorothy House Hospice Care said, “Well done to Abi for completing so many fundraising events in aid of the hospice since 2013.
“For this year’s Santa & Elf Run we’re inviting families and children to take part as well as more serious runners. The fun run has a flatter, 2.5k route which you can repeat twice if you fancy a longer 5km run. We can’t wait to see all the Santas and Elves taking to the lanes of Winsley to raise money for their local hospice. Why not sign up the whole family and you can even bring your dog!”
Entries are now open for Dorothy House Hospice Care’s 7th annual Santa & Elf Run. The 2.5k or 5k fun run is open to all ages and will start and finish at Dorothy House in Winsley. The runners will be raising valuable funds to support the work of the hospice which provides specialist palliative and end of life care for people living with a life-limiting illness in Wiltshire, Bath & North-East Somerset and Somerset. To sign up for the event visit www.santaandelf run.org.uk
Families, friends and supporters are invited to come and cheer the runners on and sprinkle biodegradable snow on them as they pass by. Festive fancy dress is welcomed by all, and mulled wine, hot food and other refreshments will be available to buy, so it’s an event for everyone to enjoy.
The fun run starts at 11am on 3rd December with registration from 10am and a warm up session at 10.50am. Entry costs £15 for 12+ years and £7.50 for 5-11 year olds. All 12 + year old participants will receive a Santa suit at registration and 5-11 year olds will receive Elf accessories included in their entry fee, plus free refreshments after the run. All runners aged 16 years and under must be accompanied by an adult.
All adult entrants are encouraged to raise £40 in sponsorship or make a donation of £40 in lieu of sponsorship to help support Dorothy House Hospice Care. The course is multi-terrain, including roads and footpaths so sensible footwear is a must and the route is unsuitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs due to narrow stone styles and muddy footpaths. Entries close at 5pm on Thursday 30th November.
If you would like to support Dorothy House by volunteering or a donation please visit www.dorothy house.org.uk or call on 01225 721 480.
Above: L-R Oliver Lyons, Steph Cox – community fundraiser at Dorothy House, Matthew Lyons and Sue Heal – headteacher at Hayesdown First School in Frome.
