YOUNGSTERS can dash and prance around Sunderland’s the Bridges shopping centre – and support a good cause at the same time.
Sunderland Business Improvement District has teamed up with the Bridges to host the city’s second annual Reindeer Dash on Sunday 8 December.
And this year the event is in aid of the Foundation of Light – which aims to improve lives through football-based sports, health, community and education programmes – and the Children’s Heart Unit Fund, based at Newcastle’s Freeman Hospital.
After a warm-up by staff from Sunderland-based JD Gyms, runners will receive a reindeer nose and antlers to help them get in the festive spirit at the event and will even have the chance to meet Santa Claus.
After the dash, each runner will be given a medal for completing the race and invited to stay to enjoy character appearances and more fundraising activities.
Sharon Appleby, Head of Business Operations at Sunderland BID, said: “This is a great addition to what is already turning into a packed programme of activities on offer in the city over the festive period.
“It’s a fun day out for the whole family, a great start to the festive season and, of course, the chance to raise a lot of money for two very important and worthy causes.”
Andy Bradley, centre director at the Bridges, hopes to see a big turnout for the event.
“Last year 149 people took part in the dash and the atmosphere was fantastic,” he said, “so we hope this year’s event will be even bigger.”
Tickets for the event, which is supported by SR1 Rotary and Sunderland Empire Theatre, cost £3.50 for children and £5.50 for adults.
They can be booked at https://sunderlandreindeerdash.eventbrite.co.uk and the race is scheduled to take place between 9am and 11am.
For further information, contact www.sunderlandbid.co.uk.