CHRISTMAS shoppers in Falmouth were helped get further in the festive spirit on Saturday as a sea of more than 500 Santas descended on the town for the Cornwall Hospice Care’s fundraising fun run.

Santas of all shapes, sizes and ages took to the streets to join in the fun, some pushing buggies while others were accompanied by their Santa-suited four-legged friends. It is anticipated that the Super Santa Day and fun run will have raised around £13,000 for the charity.

The event in Falmouth is the largest of its kind in Cornwall, attracting more Santas than those held in Truro, Newquay, Padstow, Pool and at Land’s End.

The Santas assembled on The Moor and took part in a mass warm-up led by local gym The Core before setting off around the town. Teams entered the fun run from local businesses, community groups and sports teams, including Constantine School, Falmouth School, the Mermaid Centre, Falmouth University Students’ Union, The Net Boosters and Deveron Pilot Gig Club.

“We are thrilled with the turn out,” said Rose Wiltshire, events |fundraiser for Cornwall Hospice Care. We would like to thank |everyone who took part or |volunteered, BBC Radio Cornwall, the Falmouth Town Team, Falmouth Methodist Church, Cornwall 4x4 Emergency Response as well as the people who stopped to cheer our Santas through the town.”

The Santa Fun Run in Falmouth, which alone is expected to raise £13,000 for Cornwall Hospice Care is the largest of 10 Santa Fun Runs organised by the charity.

In all, the 2013 Santa Series has already raised over £23,000 for the charity, and is expected to exceed £30,000 once all the sponsorship money has been received.

The Santa Fun Runs are raising funds for Cornwall Hospice Care. The charity provides adult hospice care to the people of Cornwall.

The specialist team at Cornwall Hospice Care aim to provide a holistic approach to the care of people living with life limiting illnesses providing medical, practical and spiritual treatment and support.

Falmouth Packet:

Falmouth Packet:

Falmouth Packet:

Falmouth Packet:

Falmouth Packet:

Falmouth Packet: