Saltford Santa Dash raises over £15,200 for charities Jessie May and YoungMinds

More than £15,200 was raised for two charities supporting young people through last year’s Saltford Santa Dash.

A total of £15,216.36 was raised during last year’s ‘Dash’, which took place on December 2nd (2018) at The Saltford Sports and Social Club Ground in support of charities Jessie May and YoungMinds.

The money raised during the event, which challenges ‘Dashers’ to a five mile course between Saltford and Keynsham (dressed as Santa!) has been shared between Jessie May, a Kingswood-based children’s hospice at home charity, and YoungMinds, a mental health charity supporting young people.

The event saw hundreds of people gather at the sports and social club ground to cheer on runners dressed in Santa suits for the annual Saltford Santa Dash.

Paul Goddard, Chair of the Saltford Santa Dash Committee, said: “The Saltford Santa Dash continues to grow year on year. It is only possible due to the amazing volunteers, supporters and the Santas that keep coming back for more! It is wonderful that our associated charities benefit from this endeavour, for the community, by the community.”

Helen Mackie, Community Fundraiser at Jessie May, said: “The Saltford Santa Dash is a highlight for so many of us at Jessie May, and what an event last year’s was! The ‘Dash’ had an incredible turnout; the atmosphere was electric and supporters old and news came together for a wonderful community event. The amount raised for both Jessie May and YoungMinds is just amazing.

“The Saltford Santa Dash has supported Jessie May for the past two years and raised more than £20,000 for our charity in that time. This has been an astounding boost in funding for us and we can’t thank the ‘Dash’ committee for choosing to support Jessie May through the 2017 and 2018 events.

“The money raised goes towards funding the Jessie May Nurses who support local families caring for a terminally ill child. Our caseload of children continues to grow and we need support like this to ensure we never have to run a waiting list; and that families never have to wait for our nurses’ support.

“Thanks again to everyone who took part in the Saltford Santa Dash and the committee for so passionately supporting Jessie May. They have raised more than £85,000 for charities since the ‘Dash’ launched – what an achievement!”

The Saltford Santa Dash invited the community to take part in a Mini Dash (for up to 11 years old), a Young Adult Run (for 12 to 16 years old) and an Adult Run (for 17 years and over).

The Saltford Santa Dash was established in 2013 to provide a community fun run and to raise funds in support of locally connected charities working with young people. The idea is to enable runners, joggers, novice runners, families and friends to enjoy an enjoyable community event in the aid of charity work.

To find out more about the event, click here.