Budding Santa's can rejoice as the world’s most festive fun returns to Walsall for a very special 10th anniversary event.

Held to raise funds for Acorns Children’s Hospice, the 'Acorns Santa Run' on Sunday 3 December will kick-start the festive season as hundreds of ‘dashers’ suit-up as Father Christmas for a Yuletide run around Walsall Arboretum. 

Registration for the event is now open for fundraisers to support Acorns and its work caring for life limited and life threatened children and their families across the West Midlands. Entrants are given a free fancy-dress Santa suit and can take part in a five kilometre run, or a two kilometre stroll for those who want to take things slightly easier. Phillippa Weatherhead, Senior Events Officer at Acorns, said:

“It wouldn’t be Christmas without the Acorns Santa Run and we’re so excited that it’s nearly that time again! It’s probably the most Christmassy event out there and it’s an extra special one this year, as it's the tenth anniversary of the very first Acorns Santa Run, which was held in Birmingham in 2007.

“The fundraising and sponsorship raised from events like this are absolutely vital to provide the support our children need, so join us and help make this an extra special Christmas for those we care for.”

This year the event includes a ‘Super Santa’ scheme which means any participants who raises £100 or more in fundraising can claim their registration fee back. Phillipa added:

“There’s loads for the whole family to see and do on the day, including Christmas stalls and carol singers, so all we need now is for lots of speedy Santas to come along and make this the best year yet!”

Entry is £20 for adults, £10 for under 16s and £5 for three to five year olds with every place including a Santa suit and a medal at the finish line. The event is generously sponsored by independent bar and restaurant chain Bitters N Twisted, so all sponsorship raised goes directly towards the care Acorns provides.

As well as this year’s run at Walsall Arboretum, the event will also be held at Cannon Hill Park, Birmingham on Saturday 2 December.  

To sign up, visit acorns.org.uk/santa, call 01564 82 5000 or email events@acorns.org.uk.