Lancaster woman’s Santa dash in memory of dad

Christine Perry had only just recovered from a hip replacement but was determined to take part in the festive challenge in memory of her late father Arthur Bowen.

Christine had one condition – she would use her father’s walking frame decorated in lights to aid her along.

Arthur sadly died earlier this year at the age of 94-years-old and had taken part in the Santa Dash since it began back in 2007 at Salt Ayre Sports Centre. Christine said: “It was a great experience, very emotional. My father loved doing the Santa Dash, he did everyone since it started. I only just had a hip replacement but I wanted to do this for dad.

“It was nice to have my family around me but it was an emotional journey for me and it was nice to hear praise from Gerry North about my father.”

Christine and hundreds more took part in the Santa Dash in Lancaster city centre on Sunday as they dashed for charity CancerCare.

More than a 100 runners dressed in red Santa suits took to the streets and raised £3,000 for the charity based on Slyne Road.

Mums, dads and kids of all ages walked and jingled along a one-mile route through the city centre dressed in red Santa suits and Reindeer antlers.

Penny Darby, CancerCare community fundraiser, said: “Money raised will help us reach out to more local families in need of our help so a massive thank you to everyone for their continued support.

“CancerCare also owe a thank you to the team of marshals from FGH Security who donated wages from the event and also to Inspire Health and Fitness who led this year’s warm-up on the main stage.”

Rory Wood, aged seven, from Lancaster raised £300 in sponsorship which won him the grand honour of turning on the Lancaster Christmas lights alongside Santa Claus.

Christine has managed to raise over £600 for CancerCare in Arthur’s memory.