Kind hearted festive fun runners raise more than ₤15,000

THE local children's charity Alder Hey have publicly thanked fundraising Santas who recently dashed through the streets of Liverpool to raise much needed funds. Santas pulled on their festive running attire in December to take part and fundraise for Alder Hey, official event charity partner for the Appreciate Group Liverpool Santa Dash. Collectively they raised more than ₤15,000 towards the specialist Hospital's new ₤3m Surgical Neonatal Appeal.

Funds were also raised through a Santa Dash day bucket collection and merchandise stall. Charity mascot Oli the elephant also proved a hit on the day by starting the 1K Mini Dash. The fundraisers were part of a 5,000 strong sea of red, blue and mini Santas enjoying the return of the 18th Annual festive spectacular, after it was staged virtually in 2020 due to Covid19 restrictions.

Alder Hey's Surgical Neonatal Appeal was launched last Autumn and is being championed by Liverpool Football Club legend Jamie Carragher, who spent the 1st six weeks of his own life in Alder Hey's neonatal ward.

The football pundit was invited along on Santa Dash day to join Alder Hey patient and guest of honour, 4 year old Betty from Warrington, who was given the all important job of officially starting the fun run. Betty and Jamie were joined on stage by the Lord Mayor Of Liverpool Councillor Mary Rasmussen, and In Demand Radio DJ Lee, butler.

Thought to be the UK's biggest festive 5K fun run, the Appreciate Group Liverpool Santa Dash attracted walkers, joggers, runners, wheelchair participants, tiny Santas in prams, and even 4 legged furry Santas.

Alder Hey's Surgical Neonatal Appeal will help develop a state of the art unit for newborn babies and their families. The new Surgical NICU is a joint project between Alder Hey and Liverpool Women's NHS Foundation Trust as the Liverpool Neonatal Partnership. It will offer 22 neonatal cots for Liverpool, including 18 individual family rooms where parents can remain alongside their poorly newborns receiving expert care.

Adam Dixon, Community Fundraiser for Alder Hey Children's Charity, commented:- "The Appreciate Group Liverpool Santa Dash 2021 was the perfect way to end a busy year for Alder Hey Children's Charity. To see so many Santas running for Alder Hey was absolutely amazing and the amount raised will go directly towards our Surgical Neonatal Appeal. Thank you to everyone who supported us by either fundraising or donating, and well done to special guests Betty and family and Jamie Carragher who started the Santa Dash in festive style."

Special guest Betty was born premature at just 23 weeks and spent the 1st 13 months of her life at Alder Hey. She is still receiving care from Alder Hey.

Betty's Mum Karen said:- "We absolutely loved being part of the Liverpool Santa Dash; what a fantastic atmosphere! Betty loved starting the run and watching the Santas dash through the City Centre. We were incredibly proud to be part of the day and represent Alder Hey as a family, while at the same time raise money for the Hospital that cares for Betty."

The 2021 event was also supported by headline partner:- Liverpool based Appreciate Group; Media Partner In Demand Radio; pop up shop hosts St Johns Shopping Centre; and Arriva North West who offered participants free bus travel on Santa Dash day. The Liverpool Santa Dash was created by BTR Race Director Alan Rothwell and was 1st staged in 2004. A separate 1K Mini Dash for under 12s was added in 2007, and blue Santa suits were introduced in 2010. BTR Liverpool is the leading independent organisation for creating, managing, and delivering headline race events across Liverpool City Region.

BTR Race Director Alan Rothwell explained:- "We're thrilled that our official event charity partner, Alder Hey Children's Charity, has received a massive ₤15,000 boost raised by kind hearted Santas. When we started the Liverpool Santa Dash in 2004, we knew that charities would use the event as a platform to raise their profile and fundraise; and we're incredibly proud that over the years hundreds of charities have raised thousands of pounds by having lots of festive fun, and will continue to do so for many years to come."

This year's Liverpool Santa Dash takes place on Sunday, 4 December 2022, entries are open. The entry fee covers all costs to organise and deliver the event including road closures, safety measures, Santa suits, medals, goody bags, and entertainment. For more information please visit:- BTRLiverpool.Com.
 

Letter to the Editor:- "We are fighting with the Council for the state of the alleyways roads in Tuebrook Liverpool"

LOCAL resident, Jonathan Boow has contacted us saying:- "Hi I live in Tuebrook Liverpool and have been fighting with the Council for the state of the alleyways roads litter rats and dog fouling for a little over 2 years to no success. This is not just on the road I live on or my area it is a problem in many areas in Liverpool. I have been asking for euro bins to be put in place at the ends of the alleyways in the area this would reduce the amount of waste dumped from residents in the alleyway's reduces the rat population and it would also clear the front of the houses from the individual wheelie bins. Then a plan could be put in place to install more litter bins in the area and maybe even dog waste bag dispensers to tackle the waste problem left by dog walkers. I have dogs myself I carry bags and have even installed a dispenser in my front:- "yard" for all to use the initial outlay for the dispenser was ₤200 to fit and the bags cost around ₤45 per 1000 in the year it has been installed it has dispensed around 400 bags. A litter bin costs around ₤430 and can be emptied by the bin crew 2 times a week when the euro bins are emptied 2 to 3 on each road is not a major expense and is one that could be recovered by fines to those littering or leaving dog waste (I am sure there are companies that do this that the Council can employ:- "I will check up on this") As stated this has been an ongoing issue and I'm hoping that getting the story out..."

Editors note:- "We have sent Liverpool City Council a copy of the letter for comment."