Ready, steady, dash!

AFTER the mulled wine imbibed during the Thame Christmas Extravanganza on the previous Friday evening, and the champagne to celebrate Thame’s Rising Star, Great British High Street award during Small Business Saturday, anyone witnessing a sea of red ‘santas’ racing through the town on Sunday morning (06/12) might have wondered whether they’d perhaps taken a dram or two too many!

However, the 120 people dressed in all kinds of festive attire, dashing to Thame Town Hall, were all taking part in a 3k fun run in support of Florence Nightingale Hospice – and between them, have pledged over £5,000.

“It was great to see so many people dressing up for the occasion”, commented FNHC’s Karen Shardlow, who helped organise the fun run, in partnership with Thame Lions Club and Thame Town Council. “We saw all sorts of outfits, from Santa’s and elves to Christmas puddings and even a giant Christmas Turkey!”

Starting from the Town Hall, the scarlet swarm ran through the High Street, past the festively decorated FNHC shop in Cornmarket, and continued towards the Phoenix Trail, coming out past Lord William’s School, before making their way back towards the High Street, passing the Thatch and finishing off back at the Town Hall, where all the finishers were awarded a special festive medal, and a present from ‘the big man in red’ himself!

“We’re really pleased that the rain held off this year, so no one’s costume got wet, which made the event even more enjoyable,” added Karen. “We were especially happy as our biggest team of 30+ people, including Jessica Bray and her family, ran the route whilst pushing Jessica’s father, Anthony Morris around in his wheelchair. Anthony is currently being cared for at Florence Nightingale Hospice so it was really wonderful to see him being part of the event.

“On behalf of Florence Nightingale Hospice Charity, I must say a very big thank you to Thame Lions Club for supporting the fun run for the second year in a row. The Lions have been great in terms of helping with organisation and getting marshals together to help on the day,” explained Karen. “Also thanks to the Mayor of Thame, Cllr Nichola Dixon and Thame Leisure Centre for providing the fabulous warm-up for all our fun-runners.”

Florence Nightingale Hospice Charity has to raise over £650,000 a year, to continue providing first class palliative care and support to families suffering with life-limiting illnesses across Bucks, Beds and parts of Oxon.