City Santas Jump Aboard Mersey Ferry To Mark 100 Days To Liverpool Santa Dash
Photograph by Paul Francis Cooper...

VISITORS enjoying the iconic Mersey Ferry in Liverpool, on Thursday, 25 August 2022, got an early festive surprise when they were greeted on board by a group of Santas; on a sunny day, in August.

The Santas were aboard to officially launch this year's Liverpool Santa Dash; and mark the 100 day countdown to Santa Dash day, on:- Sunday, 4 December 2022. Online entries are open now.

The uplifting launch was hosted by independent race event organisation BTR Liverpool, who created the Liverpool Santa Dash spectacular and stage the festive event each year.

Tourists enjoying the 50 minute River Explorer Cruise, which offers the best views of the stunning Liverpool and Wirral waterfronts, could not believe their eyes. Thrilled with the colourful sight of their fellow passengers, they joined in the fun by posing for selfies with Santas.

The fun loving Santas who raised plenty of smiles; and eyebrows; are regulars in BTR running events. These included the Dyet family from Coventry who were visiting the City, and Sue Gilham from Formby who has completed all 18 previous Liverpool Santa Dash events proudly sporting her medals.

The launch also included the announcement of the event's headline partner, official charity, and official media partner for the 2022 event; an exciting hat trick with all three organisations returning for a 2nd year.

This year's event will be sponsored by Park Christmas Savings, part of Liverpool based Appreciate Group which is maintaining its support for another year.

Alder Hey Children's Charity returns as the official event charity, with fundraising Santas supporting its ongoing Surgical Neonatal Appeal.

3 year old Riley from Wirral is already fundraising for the Alder Hey appeal, even though he isn't an Alder Hey patient. He recently cycled five miles raising £400. He was a special guest at the launch alongside charity mascot Oli the elephant.

They are joined for a 2nd year by In Demand Radio, who are supporting the event as official media partner.

This will be the 19th annual Liverpool Santa Dash, which is often regarded as the City's kick start to Christmas.

In 2021, a sea of 5,000 red, blue and mini Santas took to the streets of Liverpool for the UK's biggest festive 5K fun run.

Liverpool Santa Dash was 1st staged in 2004, created by BTR Race Director Alan Rothwell. It has continued each year, including a virtual format in 2020 during the Covid19 Pandemic when mass participation events were not permitted.

The 1K Mini Dash for youngsters aged 12 and under was introduced in 2007, while blue Santa suits were launched in 2010.

BTR Liverpool is the leading independent organisation for creating, managing, and delivering headline running events across Liverpool City Region. Its extensive portfolio covers various distances across different terrains, all with an ongoing commitment to sustainability.

The BTR event portfolio also includes the Tour Of Merseyside, Liverpool Skyline Half Marathon, Mersey Tunnel 10K, Port Sunlight Road Race, Wirral 10K, and Run For The 97.

BTR Liverpool Race Director Alan Rothwell explained:- "Over the years we've done lots of quirky and fun things to launch the Santa Dash including Santas zipwiring down Church Street, an open top bus round the City centre playing Christmas songs in Summer, a Santa conga in St Johns Shopping Centre, and Santas enjoying the carousel at Royal Albert Dock Liverpool. But this year has to be our most ambitious yet; Santas on a ferry across the Mersey! It's August. It's heatwaves galore. And now Santas on the world famous Mersey Ferry to mark the 100 day countdown. The sight of a collective group of Santas never fails to bring pure joy; and that's exactly what we've seen on the ferry and at Pier Head Liverpool as we launch this year's event. We are delighted to announce our ongoing partnerships with Park Christmas Savings, Alder Hey Children's Charity, and In Demand Radio who have all jumped aboard for a 2nd year. Together we will give Santas a wonderful festive day to remember."

The Liverpool Santa Dash is an accessible event open to everyone, from those running purely for fun to groups of fundraisers.

Each year Santas walk, jog or run alongside wheelchair participants, families, groups of friends or colleagues; even tiny Santas in prams and even 3 legged furry Santas.

The event acts as a platform for community groups, businesses, and charities to fundraise independently while taking part.

Park Christmas Savings has been the UK's most popular and trusted festive savings company for over 50 years, having helped over three million families budget for a happy, stress-free Christmas. It presently helps around 300,000 customers plan spread the cost of Christmas each year.

Director of Marketing Katherine Scott said:- "As a company dedicated to helping our customers enjoy the best possible Christmas, we're excited to be supporting the Liverpool Santa Dash 2022; regarded by many as the City's kick start to the festive season.We're all about helping people plan ahead for Christmas so it's fitting to be launching this year's Santa Dash in the height of Summer, when Christmas is likely to be the last thing on some people's minds."

Last year, dashing Santas raised more than £15,000 for Alder Hey Children's Charity. The funds went towards the specialist hospital's new £3million Surgical Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) appeal to 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, including 18 individual family rooms where parents can remain alongside their poorly newborns whilst receiving expert care.

Adam Dixon, Community Fundraiser for Alder Hey Children's Charity, said:- "We are so excited to be back on-board as the Santa Dash official charity partner for the 2nd year running. It's the real kick start to Christmas. Seeing everyone running through the streets of Liverpool dressed as Santa is absolutely amazing. Every penny we raise through the Santa Dash will make a massive difference towards our £3million Surgical Neonatal Appeal to fund the new unit."

In Demand Radio launched on DAB in November 2020 for Liverpool and the North West, and are official media partner for the 2nd consecutive year.

Sarah Golden, In Demand Radio Brand and Partnerships Manager, added:- "We are absolutely thrilled to again be the official media partner for Liverpool Santa Dash. It is an incredible day with such a great sense of community, love, and passion for the event, with participants supporting so many fantastic charities including Alder Hey. The In Demand Radio team are excited to be there this year with some of our presenters joining in the fun run. We cannot wait to see everyone again, all getting fit while embracing the festive spirit; it's going to be a very special day."

The Liverpool Santa Dash is on Sunday, 4 December 2022, starting at:- 9.30am, from Pier Head Liverpool.

The 5K route takes Santas along The Strand and into Grade I Listed Royal Albert Dock Liverpool, through the City centre, before heading to the grandstand finish line at Liverpool Town Hall.

Online entries are open now. Santa suits will be available to collect from a City centre location from Tuesday 1 November. More details will be announced.

The event entry fee covers all costs to organise and deliver the event including:- road closures, safety measures, Santa suits, medals, goody bags, and entertainment.

For full details and online entry visit:- BTRLiverpool.com.

Damien Moore MP praises the Little Theatre and Southport Dramatic Club following performance

THE Conservative Damien Moore MP has visited the Little Theatre, in Southport, and met with members of the Southport Dramatic Club (SDC) in the middle of an exciting summer of popular performances for the group.

The visit was followed by his attendance at the opening show of:- 'The Wind in the Willows,' which opened on Tuesday, 23 August 2022, and runs each day until Saturday, 27 August 2022.

This 400 seat theatre runs a variety of shows across the year, from the comedic:- 'The Vicar of Dibley' to the far more poignant:- 'Death of a Salesmen,' with many shows seeing several thousand attend across their 8 night run.

Mr. Moore was able to meet some of the trustees representing the Club's many talented performers, backstage technicians, and volunteers, and learned about how their theatre is run.

He was particularly interested to learn that many members have been part of the group for several decades, and that for some families, participation runs across the generations, representing the deep roots that the Club has in Southport. The SDC reached its centenary in 2020.

Mr. Moore was also given a tour of the theatre, much of which retains its original 30s glamour but with a modern, functional twist, ensuring that customers and theatregoers are always well looked after by the friendly theatre volunteers.

Mr. Moore discussed various issues with the trustees, including the effect of the Pandemic on the SDC and its audiences, potential grants, and, following the addition of the cycle lanes along Hoghton Street, the impact these have had on the ease of access to the Little Theatre.

He described the opening performance of:- 'The Wind in the Willows' as "wonderful," and praised the cast, crew, band, and all the volunteers involved. He is encouraging people across the Town to buy tickets and show their support as well.

Damien Moore, Member of Parliament for Southport, said:- "It was fantastic to visit the Little Theatre and Southport Dramatic Club to meet with trustees and discuss the exciting projects being worked on. The Little Theatre is a real asset to our Town, and I was pleased to return to view the opening performance of the 'Wind in the Willows'. The trustees do a brilliant job of overseeing the theatre and club, as do all the volunteers who support their work. The 'Wind in the Willows' performance was wonderful, and I pay tribute to the hard work of the cast, crew, and band for making the evening so great. The sheer volume and breadth of their artistic ability is astounding, and it is evident from their talent just how greatly the Little Theatre has been delighting our Town's residents for over a hundred years. I would encourage all of our Town's residents to buy tickets and see one of their performances for themselves; they have my full recommendation!"