Santas limbering up Some eighty Santas enjoyed the fun of Aylesbury's annual Santa Dash on Sunday and had the satisfaction of raising an estimated sum in excess of £2000 for two local charities, St John Ambulance - Buckinghamshire and The PACE Centre.

This figure will have to include an additional donation from Mr Damian Smith, County Commander of St John Ambulance in Buckinghamshire as he had thrown down the gauntlet and bet any of his county volunteers to finish before him.  Curtiss Samuel from High Wycombe made sure of winning the bet by being first man home (though the event is not a race).

There was a heartening number of young Santas to be seen - some being pushed in buggies and others even carried on shoulders.  With the involvement of The PACE Centre, several wheelchair Santas participated for the first time, (one also being accompanied by their specially trained dog).  This is highly appropriate and bodes well for St John Ambulance's partner charity next year, which will be announced early in the New Year.

Participants were all supervised in a limber up before the Dash was started promptly at noon by Countess Howe - County President of St John Ambulance.  All finishers received their medal on arriving back in Vale Park before then enjoying a bacon butty and hot drinks provided for them there.

"We are delighted with the response this year which is a further major stride towards the Santa Dash becoming a worthwhile and fun part of Aylesbury's build up to Christmas each year.  Both ourselves and our partners The PACE Centre will benefit from the participants' considerable sponsorship so we are most grateful to them for their efforts.  Plans are already underway for next year's even bigger event." commented Clive Harrington, County Director for St John Ambulance after the event.

St John Ambulance  Registered charity no. 1077265/1
The PACE Centre.  Registered charity no. 1011133