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Santathon 2009

08 December 2009

Congratulations to everyone who took part in our first ever Santathon which has raised more than £13,000 for Saint Francis Hospice.  Photos can be seen on our Facebook page.  To request a photo by e-mail please e-mail us with the reference number.  Below is a short video clip of some of the runners and walkers who took part.

Hundreds of people got into the festive spirit and showed their Christmas cheer when they dressed as Santa to join in a sponsored charity Santathon fun run.

Around 200 children and adults dressed as Santa to take part in the 5km Santathon event in aid of Saint Francis Hospice and a sea of red could be seen running from Dagenham and Redbridge Football Club on Sunday 6th December.

Their efforts have raised around £13,500 for Saint Francis Hospice and hospice fundraiser Elizabeth Palfreman, who helped organise the event, said: “The atmosphere was brilliant, everywhere you looked there were Santa’s, even Santa dogs, all running to bring Christmas cheer to hospice patients and their families. The money raised really will make a difference to local people coping with life limiting illness this Christmas and beyond as it will go towards our specialist services including day hospice, home care and physiotherapy.

“I would like to thank everyone who took part, whether running in memory of a loved one or to give something back to their community. I am also grateful to Dagenham & Redbridge FC and Leukaemia Care for letting us join their event, which brought a smile to everyone involved.”

The runners were set on their way by the Mayor of Barking and Dagenham Charles Fairbrass and Miss Galaxy, Hayley Mac, and among the runners were teachers and pupils from Emerson Park School, Hornchurch. They decided to join the run after learning the hospice needed support with donations after being affected by the economic downturn.

Pupil Ruth Taylor was the fastest under 16 girl to finish and Citizenship teacher Christine Crawley said: “There was an excellent feel good factor on the day, raising money for the local community and knowing that all the money raised goes direct to patient care at the hospice which will make a difference to local people. There was a great team spirit and we all can’t wait to do it again next year!”

Also taking part were the family and friends of Janine Enever, from Barking, who received care from the day hospice and inpatient unit before she sadly died.

Among them was Janine’s aunt June Dwyer, who said: “I visited Janine in the hospice as she spent her last weeks there and every time we came in she was so comfortable. It helped us as a family tremendously knowing she was being cared for by the experts when we were not there.

“I felt impressed with how we were all treated and Janine was so grateful for the care provided, even when she couldn’t speak she would smile at the nurses. That’s why we wanted to do the Santathon and raise some money so other families can benefit from such vital and wonderful treatment, care and support.”

Bob Bendelow, from Hornchurch, a volunteer driver who takes patient to and from the day hospice, said: “I’ve never done anything like this before and my sons were talking about running the Brentwood Half Marathon for the hospice and I was talking about this to the fundraising team and they told me about the Santathon so I decided to join in. I found it very moving and satisfying, particularly seeing people in a wheelchair and blind lady taking part and the encouragement the motorists and residents gave us, we even had children coming out of their homes to greet us.”

The Santathon run was hosted by Dagenham and Redbridge Football Club and also raised funds for Leukaemia Care and is planned to be held again next year to support Saint Francis Hospice.
 

 

 

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