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Santas get set for fundraiser

27 November 2007

Run will see scores of red suits take to the streets

These are the latest fundraisers who will don their red suits and beards for this year’s Santa Run . The Chronicle’s Sunshine Fund has come together with Century FM and Macmillan Cancer Support for the event at 11am Saturday, December 8. Scores of Santas will run , jog and walk the 4km route through Exhibition Park and the Town Moor.

Captain of the Elfies, Joanne Taylor , brought together a group from work, family and friends to take part in the festive run . Joanne , who is 22, lost her grandfather to cancer just two weeks ago and she felt like giving something back to Macmillan Cancer Support. The account executive at advertising and PR agency Robson Brown said the support her family has received from Macmillan Cancer was amazing. “We decided to do it as I lost my grandad from cancer two weeks ago and he struggled for 20 months with it,” she said. “It was so peaceful in the end. But the Macmillan Nurses helped us so much. They are still supporting my family now as they have been over to my grandmother’s house. “All my friends have lost somebody close to them and Macmillan Nurses have been there for them too. “We have to do it as they have helped us.”

Joanne , who has been with Robson Brown for a year-and-a-half, loves her job and thinks her colleagues are great. She said: “Everybody knew I was going through a hard time and they were all totally willing to help out whether through sponsoring me or joining in.

“When I told people from work we all decided to do it together. There are about 10 of us doing it from work and some family and friends have decided to join us, so I think there will be about 15 people.” The 22-year-old, of Tynedale Avenue, Winlaton, Gateshead, added: “It is for such a good cause, so if even if we try our best then that is all we can do. We will have a lot of fun with it as well.”
Robson Brown has promised to sponsor the team to do the run .

Each entrant will receive a Santa costume, including beard, jacket, trousers, belt and hat, which they must wear on the day.

There will be trophies for the first, second and third-placed runners, and everyone who takes part will get a limited-edition Christmas bauble.
Celebrities taking part in the run include Century FM presenters Ben Weston and Stephanie Finnon and North East Tonight presenters Jonathan Morrell and Philippa Tomson.


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