Lincoln Santa Fun Run raises record £63k for charity

A new fundraising record has been set by the hordes of Santas who ran through Lincoln before Christmas.

All the donations have now been collected and counted after the Lincoln Santa fun run and Walk last December.

And organisers are staggered that the final figure has broken through the £63,000 barrier - way over the £50,000 target.

Race director Chris Illsley, from Lincoln business Running Imp, said: "We're absolutely delighted but surprised at what was raised.

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"To surpass the £50k target by such a margin is a great achievement by everybody.

"It really exceeded expectations. It's a 50 per cent increase on what was raised in 2011, which is some increase."

The £42,000 raised in 2011 was the previous record. Six charities have been selected to receive the cash from this year's event.

Candles in Skellingthorpe, which supports innovative cancer research, will receive £10,394.

St Barnabas Hospice is being given £10,542, while the British Heart Foundation in Lincoln is getting £9,514.

The Samaritans in Lincoln has been awarded £9,598, the Lincolnshire & Nottinghamshire Air Ambulance will take away £8,737 and the Rotary Club of Lincoln Colonia, which also helped organise the event, has been given £12,022.

Pam Connock, one of the founders of Candles, said: "We were thrilled when were told we would be a recipient last autumn, and we're overwhelmed with the amount of money we have received.

"I want to say a big thank you to everyone who took part, The Rotary Club of Lincoln Colonia and Chris Illsley.

"The work that was put in behind the scenes was phenomenal."

Mr Illsley added: "I must say a huge thank you to Nick Muntz, the managing director of Siemens, for the firm's continued support as title sponsor and also for entering an even larger team of runners than last year."

Mr Illsley added a target for each participant to raise at least £20.12, which gave the overall total a boost.

Rachael Hewitt, corporate fundraiser from St Barnabas Hospice, said: "It's the second year we have been supported by the event and it's an amazing amount they have managed to achieve in total.

"Our day therapy services are funded entirely by donations, and it's only through support from events like this and members of the public that we're able to offer them."

Representatives from the charities gathered in Lincoln's Castle Square to receive their cheques and give their thanks to the organisers.

It is hoped this year's fun run will raise an even bigger total.