So here it is Merry Christmas

11 December 2009

All ages took part in the fun run

STORM clouds and torrential rain on Sunday could not put off the brave and good hearted who had gathered for the St Francis Hospice and Leukaemia Care Santathon fun run.

More than 300 Santas - complete with hat and beard - pounded the streets of Dagenham and Redbridge for the 5km course.

Their efforts pulled in a magnificent £13,500 for St Francis Hospice, based in Havering-atte-Bower, and thousands more for the cancer charity.

Hospice fundraiser Elizabeth Palfreman said: "The atmosphere was brilliant, everywhere you looked there were Santas, even Santa dogs, all running to bring Christmas cheer to hospice patients and their families."

Every one of the runners had a moving story to tell of loved ones lost or being cared for by the charities.

Janine Enever, from Barking, received care from the day hospice and inpatient unit before she sadly died.

Running in her memory, aunt June Dwyer said: "Janine was so grateful for the care provided, even when she couldn't speak she would smile at the nurses. That's why we wanted to do the Santathon and raise some money so other families can benefit."

Bob Bendelow, from Hornchurch, a volunteer driver for the day hospice, said: "I found it very moving and satisfying, particularly seeing people in a wheelchair and blind lady taking part and the encouragement the motorists and residents gave us, we even had children coming out of their homes to greet us."

Organised by Paul Gwynn the run has since trebled in participants since its inception in 2006.

He said: "Every year we are all amazed at just how caring people are.

"People run for their own reasons, and this is a wonderful way of just being able to do something for both of these charities, it certainly makes you feel humble."

First woman runner home was Caroline Tuck, the first man was Joe Coney, and first under-16 woman was Emerson Park School pupil Ruth Taylor, from Gidea Park.

But everyone was amazed at Ross Earney, 15, of Havering and Maesbrook Athletic Club, who beat the lot and came in first over the line.

VIPs Mayor of Barking and Dagenham, Cllr Charles Fairbrass, and the beautiful Hayley Mac, reigning Miss Galaxy International, sounded the starting horn.

Elsewhere at the weekend, festive lights and Christmas spirit illuminated the dark days.

Chippenham Road in Harold Hill was transformed into a twinkling sea of lights, as children with homemade lanterns - made earlier at workshops at St George's Centre - formed a procession to the Christmas tree at Hilldene Shopping Centre for the switch-on event, just after 4pm last Friday.

Revellers were entertained by live music, a fire show, carols, and refreshments.

Council Leader Cllr Michael White said: "Christmas is a time to come together so what better way than to get the family down to see the lights come on, and enjoy some top-notch entertainment."

Street dancers and musicians, balloon modellers and a mini fun fair drew hundreds of locals to the Rainham Village Christmas fayre on Saturday afternoon while schoolchildren from local schools filled the air of the St Giles and St Helen churchyard with carols.

Rainham and Wennington Ward Cllr Jeff Tucker said of the day, organised by the Rainham Association for Village Events (RAVE): "It was a superb event that started ten years ago and it does now what it did then: it puts the Rainham shops and village on the map!"

At the same time locals in Cranham held a successful fayre at the Front Lane Community Centre with choir, stalls and festivities.

Gidea Park Primary School, in Lodge Avenue, celebrated its successful Christmas Bazaar, also on Saturday, where pupils decorated Christmas baubles, had their faces painted and tried to guess the name of a teddy bear to win a day in headteacher Susan Hartnett's shoes.

The day was sponsored by Belvoir Lettings Agency, and free goodie bags were provided by Marks and Spencer for every visitor.

PTA member Hayley Madden, said: "As children visited Father Christmas in his fairy grotto, real snow fell on the school, and it felt like Christmas had truly arrived at Gidea Park Primary on Saturday.