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On a cold Sunday morning on 6^th December at 7am Santa (alias Russ Hargreaves) peered out of his bedroom window and saw his ice-covered sledge and thought “should I stay or should I go now”? Then he remembered that there are many people far worse off than him and went to wake his little elf (alias 14 year old daughter). The elf appeared very grumpy (no real change for a Sunday morning really) and her mood did not seem to improve when he threw her duvet covers on the floor and said come on it is time to get up!

Whilst waiting for his little elf, Santa went to scrape the ice off his sledge and check the temperature clock, it showed “minus 6” and Santa thought “just what I had prayed for”!

Santa and his elf then set off across those clear blue skies over the M62 to that wonderful land of dreams loved by many and known to many as. Santa parked his sledge next to a historic building called The Liverpool Museum and immediately two thoughts crossed his mind; I wonder whether they have got the League Championship Trophy in there (a cup that their dodgy football team used to win on a regular basis many moons ago but was replaced by the Premiership now stored at the Theatre of Dreams and never seen on Merseyside) and also will I have 4 wheels on my sleigh when I return?

Santa now set off to the start line of the 5k run and was delighted to see that 7000 plus fellow Santa’s had all turned up and some looked to be carrying more weight than he was, not many but there was definitely one or two. There was one or two Santa’s dressed in Blue and White and when I enquired as to whether they had suffered problems with the washing machine they replied “Everton”, a strange response I thought!

So the Christmas carols began and we were all much happier with some witty Santa heard to say, “I can’t see my feet but al least I can feel them now”! Then a loud “hooter” sounded and the mass of red moved off through the streets of. This Santa and his Elf had a “cunning plan” which was to stay at the back and avoid the crush at the start and then to gradually pick their way to the front before bursting past the winning tape with arms aloft. As always with cunning plans, one part went wrong but I will leave you to guess? The only clue that I will give is that we did eventually catch-up to the Santa on stilts…….personally I though it was cheating being allowed to have such long legs!

Overall, Santa and his little elf had a great day which was made even more enjoyable due to the support of many friends and colleagues who had helped to raise £451.00 for the Overgate Hospice, which provides badly needed care for the people of Calderdale. With a little more begging I am sure that we can reach the target of £500?  

Finally, for those wondering …………… Santa’s sleigh did still have the 4 wheels on and he was able to return back home to a hot bath and mug of coffee!

Best Wishes and thanks for all your contributions to what is a great cause and one badly needing our support.