Last chance to enter the Thame festive fun run

THE Florence Nightingale Hospice Charity team, which are staging Sunday’s Santa Dash around Thame town centre, will also be supporting Friday’s Christmas lights switch-on in the town, where Executive Director, Sue Jenkins, will be presented with a cheque for over £10,000 from the Haddenham Hillbillies – a team of local cyclists who took on a three-day cycle challenge fundraiser in September from Thame to Montesson in France. 

On Saturday, the Florence Nightingale Hospice Charity’s retail arm will be supporting Thame’s Small Business Saturday event as well as offering visitors on the day a last chance to register for Thame’s Festive Fun Run before the big day.

The Florence Nightingale Hospice Charity’s (FNHC) first Festive Fun Run is taking place this Sunday, December 7, and is a 3k family fun event, which will see Santa’s setting off from Thame Town Hall, at 10am.

In partnership with Thame Lions Club, families, schools and businesses are being invited to get involved in this fun reindeer run, jingle bell jog or Santa saunter and bring some pre-Christmas cheer in aid of Florence Nightingale Hospice, which provides comprehensive care and support to families affected by life-limiting illness through in-patient and at-home Hospice services.

“We’re really excited about coming to Thame to host our first Festive Fun Run,” said Karen Shardlow, FNHC’s Development and Events Manager. “We know many local residents are affected by the services provided either at the Hospice itself or in the home, so we’re really hoping our supporters will turn out and get behind us over the weekend. There is still time to sign up your family and friends either via our website – www.fnhospice.org.uk, or simply pop along on the day at 9.00am to register in person. After a warm-up, courtesy of Thame Leisure Centre to get fun runners limbered up for their challenge, we’ll then set off outside Thame Town Hall and head down the High Street towards the popular Phoenix Trail. We can’t wait to see everyone’s costumes!”

To register for the fun run challenge, visit www.fnhospice.org.uk and click on ‘Festive Fun Run’. Entry costs £10 per adult, £7.50 per child and under 2s go FREE. A specially priced family ticket of £30 for two adults, two children is also available. Registration prices include event entry, refreshments, a FREE Santa hat and medal on completion of the challenge. Prizes on the day will be awarded to the best-dressed entrants on the day.

Businesses including Kismet Jewellers, The Black Horse, Thamenews.net, Newitts of Thame, Wally’s Toy Shop and Thame Leisure Centre have all lent their support to the event. Simply pop in to any of these locations along with Thame Town Hall to pick up a registration form.

Florence Nightingale Hospice Charity needs to raise over £600,000 this year to keep local Hospice running.