GET your Santa hat on and get on your marks, ready for a special festive run for charity.

Weldmar Hospicecare Trust is hoping that hundreds of families will get involved in its first ever Santa Run round Dorchester on December 11.

The event had to be called off last year after snow and ice made the route impossible, but organisers have their fingers crossed for better weather this year.

The two-mile route will start at 11am at Dorchester Football Club and follow a route down Weymouth Avenue to the county town centre before going down South Street and back along to the football club.

Weldmar Hospicecare spokes-person Sue Leighton said: “It really will be an event that will let the family get out together on a Sunday and have fun by dressing up.

“The registration fee covers a Santa costume that they can keep afterwards.”

She added: “When everyone gets back from the run we will have seasonal refreshments and mulled wine. We will also have some music.

“All the adults that take part will get a Christmas pudding and all the children will get a small soft toy.”

Mrs Leighton added that they wanted to make the event as fun as possible and there was no obligation to run.

She added that Weldmar would like to say a special thank you to Dorchester Football Club and the Hearn Group for all their help and support.

Fundraiser Matt Smith said it would be a great day and hopefully raise lots of money for Weldmar Hospicecare Trust.

He said: “We are hoping it will be a really good atmosphere.

“This is definitely an event for the whole family.”

The organisers are hoping that the event will become an annual feature in the Dorchester calendar.

The Dorchester Santa Run is free for those under five, £5 for five to 15-year-olds and £10 for over 15s.

For more information call Sue Leighton on 01305 215320 or email:sue.leighton@weld-hospice.org.uk