Thousands of Santas surprised Londoners today when they appeared on the Tube while making their way to a charity run.
The London Santa Dash – based at Clapham Common in the capital’s south – is held every year to raise cash for the Great Ormond Street Hospital for children.
Two thousand patients, families, hospital staff and even dogs suited and booted up to tackle the 5k and 10k courses on a chilly and grey morning.
Sounding the starting klaxon was 11-year-old Arun Corcoran, who has been a Gosh patient since he was six weeks old and was taking part in the Santa Dash with his family for the third time.
Despite the downpour, the jolly joggers kept upbeat as they made their way round the sodden grass course.
A snow cannon sent snowflakes flurrying through the air as the now-weary Santas crossed the finish line to cheers and applause, their red hats askew.
The London Santa Dash – based at Clapham Common in the capital’s south – is held every year to raise cash for the Great Ormond Street Hospital for children. Thousands of runner dressed as Santa Claus surprised Londoners today when they appeared on the Tube while making their way to a charity run. Despite the downpour, the jolly joggers kept upbeat as they made their way round the sodden grass course. A snow cannon sent snowflakes flurrying through the air as the weary Santas crossed the finish line to cheers and applause, their red hats askew. Pictured: A collection of Santas chilling out on the Northern Line
Sounding the starting klaxon was 11-year-old Arun Corcoran, who has been a Gosh patient since he was six weeks old and was taking part in the Santa Dash with his family for the third time. His kidney condition has not let that stop him from becoming a Team Gym British gymnast as well as throwing himself into charity runs. His school decided to hold a fair and raise money for Gosh and Arun’s sponsorship after hearing about the Santa Dash. Arun’s father, Simon Corcoran, thanked Gosh staff for all their support and said thousands of running Santas were ‘an amazing sight’. Pictured left: An extremely happy Santa running in Clapham Common. Right: Santas at ease before the beginning of the race
Tim Johnson, chief executive of the Gosh children’s charity, said there were a similar number of runners to last year and they were hoping to raise around £250,000. He said: ‘People turn their thoughts to Christmas at the beginning of December so the chance to come and dress up as Santa and raise some money for the hospital at the same time just really seems to appeal to people.’ The money raised on Sunday will go towards the charity’s play service, he said. He added: ‘At this time of year, of course, we always think about the children who will be in hospital over Christmas, and so the play team, although important all year round, are particularly important at this time of year, and that’s what we are raising money for today.’ Pictured: Santa riding the escalator at a Tube stop
A half-dressed male Santa and fully attired female Santa sit on a Northern Line train before today’s run in Clapham Common. Also taking part was eight-year-old Indigo, from south London, whose brain tumour was removed by Gosh three years ago. Her condition meant she had to use a wheelchair, but she has since managed to learn to walk, ride a bike, run, dance, play piano and do gymnastics. She said she was nervous but ‘really excited’ to be taking part, adding that her recovery had taken a lot of determination’
Indigo’s father, Robbie, said: ‘She’s done really, really well, it’s been a very long journey and with amazing support of Gosh. ‘We never thought we’d see a day like today but it’s been step by step and now it’s fantastic, and Indy herself asked to join and we of course said we’d love to all get involved and we’ve now got a group of about 12 of us running today. We started with monkey bars in the playground and then it (went) from there. Last year it was a bicycle for the first time, and even this year a little bit of skiing. So it’s really quite amazing what Indy’s managed to achieve. Her mum added: ‘I think Indy can achieve anything she wants to achieve’. Pictured: Santas arrive at Clapham Common station
Two thousand patients, families, hospital staff and even dogs suited and booted up to tackle the 5k and 10k courses on a chilly and grey morning. Pictured: A female Santa arrives in Clapham
People in Father Christmas outfits take the Tube to the annual Santa Dash run on Clapham Common. The run is expected to raise about £250,000
Two thousand Santa Clauses donned their running shoes and braved the rain during a charity run to raise money for Great Ormond Street Hospital. Pictured: The run begins
Registration on the day cost £25 for adults, £15 for children and free for minors. The fee, however, includes a free Santa suit, a finisher’s medal, a mulled drink and a mince pie when at the finish line
Great Ormond Street Hospital said that taking part helps the charity operate its specialist play therapy team to make youngsters’ experience of treatment as stress-free as possible
There was no minimum fundraising requirement but the hospital hoped each Santa could raise £150. Pictured: A convoy of Clauses jogging through Clapham Common
The race began at 9.30am and everyone was invited to take part in either the 5km or 10km runs. Pictured: A young girl runs ahead of other Santas, including an evidently overheating female Santa
There was little competition between the Santas as they strolled about Clapham Common for the event. Pictured: A mum pushes a pram during the race
Fresh from Lapland: A highly convincing Stana celebrates after reaching the finishing line while fake snow falls all around him
It’s all over: A group of Santas stroll across the finish line at 11.44am. Finishers were applauded and cheered as they completed the challenge