Popular Katharine House fun run in Banbury goes green the Christmas

The popular annual Katharine House Santa fun run has gone green this Christmas.
By Jack Ingham
Published 22nd Nov 2023, 16:14 BST
Updated 23rd Nov 2023, 10:30 BST
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The fundraising event, which sees hundreds of runners don Santa outfits to complete 1.5k or 5k races, will take place at Spiceball Park on December 3 at 11am.

This year, participants will have the opportunity to save money and the planet by opting to reuse an old Santa suit, wear red, or just using a Christmas jumper or hat instead.

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To further reduce the impact on the environment, organisers have replaced the medals, this year sponsored by Norbar, with more sustainable wooden ones.

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Rachel Burns, Roseann Thompson and Sue Blank from Katharine House Hospice show off this year’s greener wooden Santa Fun Run medals.Rachel Burns, Roseann Thompson and Sue Blank from Katharine House Hospice show off this year’s greener wooden Santa Fun Run medals.
Rachel Burns, Roseann Thompson and Sue Blank from Katharine House Hospice show off this year’s greener wooden Santa Fun Run medals.

Event project manager Helen Lerwill said: “With almost 1,000kg of waste generated from our Santa suits and hats across our Santa Fun Run and Santa Schools Run fundraising events, we’re thinking hard about the impact that our events have on the environment.

“By swapping to one of our greener option, it could help reduce waste by 75%. We hope that our runners can support our efforts to make the hospice a little greener.

"We can’t wait for this year’s event. There really is no better way to start the Christmas season, and we hope as many people as possible will take part and help us raise money for our amazing hospice.”

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Dee Loader and her close friends of 25 years took part in last year’s Santa Fun Run to honour her friend Lisa, who died at the hospice in 2015 at the age of 29.

Dee said: “Katharine House Hospice was so kind and supportive during a very difficult time, and we wanted to give back to say thank you. Our whole friendship group took part. And we decided to make it a little harder by including our children, all aged between the ages of two and eight! It’s festive fun for everyone and a fabulous fundraising opportunity.”

“Even after she had died, we were allowed to visit and say goodbye. Lisa was at peace there, and this was so reassuring to her friends and family. Katharine House is incredibly important for our community, and we’re very lucky to have it.”

For more information, including how to register for this year’s fun run, visit https://www.khh.org.uk/Event/santa-fun-run-banbury

Related topics:Banbury