Santa Claus is coming to town!

A flock of Father Christmases will be racing round a lake in Rochdale next month - to raise much needed funds for a local hospice.

At 11 am, on Sunday 8 December, Hollingworth Lake Country Park will be hosting the eighth annual 5k Father Christmas Fun Run in aid of Springhill Hospice.

Entry to the event, a Santa suit and a goody bag is £10 for adults and £8 for children. However, it is half price for anyone bringing their own Father Christmas outfit.

Open to all ages and abilities, to register contact the Fundraising Department at Springhill Hospice either by phone 01706 649920, in person at Broad Lane, Rochdale, OL16 4PZ or by emailing lillie.winterbottom@nhs.net On the day those taking part can sign in from 10 am at the Visitor's Centre.

Lillie Winterbottom, Community Fundraiser for Springhill Hospice, said: “The fun run has become a prominent fundraising event over the past eight years, with last year’s event attracting over 150 runners, walkers, pram pushers, and families. Over the last seven years the event has also raised nearly £33,000, 100 per cent of which goes directly Springhill Hospice"

“We are very grateful to everyone who has taken part in previous years and hope people will join us this year for the event which is in aid of a very worthy cause with all money raised going towards the running costs of the Hospice. It really is great fun and a wonderful spectacle to see people of all ages dressed as Santa.”

For more information about the hospice visit www.springhill.org.uk

For further information about events at Hollingworth Lake Country Park please visit www.visitrochdale.com or call 01706 373421.