SANTA in various guises, along with a couple of elves, made an early visit to a South Lakeland town at the weekend for Rosemere Cancer Foundation’s first ever Kendal Santa Dash/Stroll!

A select but enthusiastic crowd of runners, which included a trio of young athletes from Helm Hill running club, and walkers gathered at the Dojo Judo Centre on Parkside Business Park on Sunday morning.

Ahead of them lay the challenge of a one-mile circular course that went behind Kirkbie-Kendal High School up to the canal towpath before passing Kendal Leisure Centre and into Lound Road. It then headed back to the towpath for the home straight.

The dashers and walkers all finished successfully, receiving a certificate and free hot or cold drink and biscuits.

Sue Thompson, Rosemere Cancer Foundation’s Chief Officer, said: “For an inaugural event on a cold winter Sunday morning, we were very pleased with the turn-out and even more so with the enthusiasm of everyone who took part and their offers of help to promote the event next year.

“We will be dashing and strolling again in 2018 and look forward to welcoming an even greater number of Santas, elves, festive fairies and Christmas puddings to what we hope will grow into a festive tradition of an event.”

Money raised by the dash/stroll is still being counted as some of those who took part were being sponsored to do so. It will be put towards Rosemere Cancer Foundation’s 20 Years Anniversary Appeal. It is funding a trio of groundbreaking projects at Rosemere Cancer Centre, South Cumbria’s and Lancashire’s regional specialist cancer treatment centre at the Royal Preston Hospital.

The centre provides radiotherapy treatment, specialist diagnostics and surgery plus complex chemotherapy and other highly specialised care for patients from throughout the two counties.