SANTA dashers of all ages and abilities are being encouraged to put on their festive gear on Saturday, December 9, and take to the streets of Northwood.

The idea is to bring some festive cheer while raising vital funds for Michael Sobell Hospice, which needs more than £1.6m pounds of funding each year.

At 11am, a sea of ‘dashers’ (men, women, children and their four-legged friends) will set off from the hospice at Mount Vernon for a one-mile reindeer run or jingle bell jog, heading towards Green Lane.

They will end up at Northwood Methodist Church, Oaklands Gate, where they will be cheered home by Santa’s little helpers and rewarded for their efforts with refreshments.

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The hospice’s festive gift fair will also be taking place that day, inside the church from 10am-3pm, and is a chance for those in the fun run (as well as the wider community) to pick up a selection of stocking fillers from a variety of stalls including  jewellery, handmade crafts and knitwear.

There will also be refreshments and a chance to win prizes in the Michael Sobell Hospice festive raffle, including luxury gift hampers.

To sign up for the Santa Dash, pop in to any Michael Sobell charity shop and pick up a form or book your place online at www.michaelsobellhospice.co.uk

Entry costs £10, to include a Santa suit for adults and fun novelty item for children. There is a special family-of-four offer of £30.

Entry to the gift fair is free for all in the Santa Dash, with a £2 donation on the door for everyone else.