IT was red suits, white beards and antlers galore, as the Devil’s Punch Bowl hosted the first of Phyllis Tuckwell’s 2016 Santa and Rudolph Fun Runs, raising money to help fund the supportive and end-of-life care which the hospice provides.

More than 180 festive fundraisers gathered for their 11am start. With adults dressed in Santa suits and beards, and kids wearing flashing red noses and antlers, the run really was a Christmas extravaganza.

Richard Wyeth from Yaketyak productions, led everyone in a warm-up routine, complete with Christmas music and dance moves, ensuring that all were ready and raring to go when the countdown started them off on the 3.5km route.

“We would like to thank everyone who took part in the Hindhead run. These fun runs are a fantastic way for people to get involved and help us hit this target,” said Fiona Chapman, events fundraiser at Phyllis Tuckwell.

“Last year they raised £25,000 – enough to cover the costs of providing our Hospice Care at Home service for 11 days, enabling patients to spend their last days at home, visited by our nurses and doctors, rather than in hospital or at the hospice and we are hoping to top that total this year.

“We would also like to thank our two new corporate sponsors of the fun runs this year, Net Technical Solutions and Village Hotel Farnborough, and all of our wonderful volunteers without whom we wouldn’t be able to hold these fun runs. Your support is really important to us and very much appreciated.”

The next run takes place at Broadwater Park in Godalming this Saturday (December 10) and on Sunday (December 11) at the Queen’s Avenue Playing Fields in Aldershot.

Registration is £14 for adults and £7 for children (under 14), and will be higher on the day. Go to www.pth.org.uk/event-diary or call 01252 729446, to book a place.

Registration includes a Santa suit for adults, reindeer antlers with a red nose for children, and festive goodies and a medal for everyone who completes the course.

Among those taking part include William Cobbett Primary School reception pupils, Sophie, Mia and Elliott, who through their fundraising page www.justgiving.com/fundrais

ing/Elaine-Smyth) have raised more than £200 to date.