TICKETS are selling fast to the highly anticipated Naomi House & Jacksplace Santa Fun Run, with 500 Santas having already secured their spaces.

The fun run, suitable for people of all ages and abilities, is happening on Sunday December 1 in Winchester High Street.

This is the 11th year the hospice has hosted the event, which features hundreds of people taking to the streets of Winchester with family and friends, dressed in shiny red Santa Claus suits, to run 5k.

Keith Wilson, head of marketing at Naomi House & Jacksplace, said: “The Fun Run has always been a stand out event in the lead up to Winchester’s Christmas celebrations, and we are so excited with the response from festive runners right across the district so far. We are so grateful to everyone who has signed up, lots of whom have joined us for this event for many years, and committed to support seriously ill children and young adults on good days, difficult days and last days.

“This year, we’re hoping that over one thousand Santas take to the streets of Winchester in support of their local hospices. The event is set to sell out long before Christmas, so if you want to the chance to get into the spirit of Christmas and join hundreds of fellow Santas in Winchester city centre, secure your place and sign up to our fun run today. ”

Staff at the hospices expect the event to raise more than £40,000, which is enough to fund care and support for life limited and life threatened children, young adults and their families staying at the hospices on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day and beyond.

Remaining tickets for the Winchester Santa Fun Run are priced at £20 for adults and £15 for children. The entry fee includes a jolly red Santa suit to wear, a celebratory medal and fundraising support. Naomi House & Jacksplace ask each participant to kindly aim to raise £50 to help support their vital services.

The fun run starts at Winchester Guildhall on December 1 from 8:50am, with a festive Zumba warm up, before the run begins at 9am. The route goes through the city and past a number of Winchester’s most famous attractions, including the King Alfred Statue and Winchester Cathedral.

For more information or to buy a ticket to the Winchester Santa Fun Run, visit: www.naomihouse.org.uk/santa-fun-run.