Over 200 brave Santas turned out for Mountbatten’s annual Santa Dash on Sunday 2 December, starting at Ryde Superbowl.
 
They were rewarded with clear skies for the duration of the warm-up and the run. DJ Dan put the dashers through their paces with festive tunes and party tracks to get them in a Santa kind of mood, before they set off along the circular 5k route along Ryde seafront and through Appley Park, ending up back at Superbowl.
 
Participants were then rewarded again, this time with a medal and a very well-deserved mince pie. Approximately £4000 has already been raised in support of Mountbatten’s work, with most sponsorship money yet to be received. 
 
Dani Johnson, Community Events Fundraiser said: “It was a great atmosphere, as ever. Many thanks indeed to all who took part – whether you ran, walked, jogged, volunteered or spectated. Thanks go to Superbowl, Spyder Events, Medi4 and the Lions for their support. May we wish you all a very Merry Christmas from all of us at Mountbatten”.
 
Nigel Hartley, Mountbatten Chief Executive, who sounded the starting klaxon, said: “Santa Dash is such a fun way to support the work of our Island’s hospice, as well as raising awareness of how, at any one time, we care for more than 1,000 Islanders and their families who are facing death, dying and bereavement. It’s wonderful to see our Island community come together and take the opportunity to think of others at this time of year, so a big thank you to you all!”