Jamie and Harry get on their marks for hospice’s Santa Dash!

Two Leyland brothers are excited to take on the St Catherine’s Hospice Santa Dash next month, as their dad praises the support he receives from the charity at home.

Jamie Brown, aged 11, and his younger brother Harry, 10, visited the Lostock Hall hospice to have a tour of the inpatient unit with their dad Kevin and mum Julie.

The family, from Atherton Road, have been receiving support from one of the hospice’s Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNS) at home, after Kevin was diagnosed with pancreatic and liver cancer on October 13 this year.

Now, the boys are keen to show their support for the cause by donning Santa suits and taking part in the sponsored fun-run at the St Catherine’s Christmas Festival on Sunday, December 3.

Jamie, a pupil at Academy@Worden, said: “I want to support my dad and the hospice. I know it costs a lot of money so I want to do something to help. I’m looking forward to the Santa Dash as it’s also my twelfth birthday that day!”

Julie said: “The boys said that if their dad comes to St Catherine’s in the future, they want it to be a happy place for him, and they wanted to help.

“If they’re ever feeling down about what’s happening, we hope that they’ll think about all the good they’re doing to support St Catherine’s and how much it means to other families likes ours.”

Kevin, 41, added: “Our nurse Maxine has been fantastic; she can’t do enough for us. She suggested we come to the hospice for a look around so we know what it’s really like and what to expect.

“I’d never even been into the grounds before, and I was surprised by what a lovely, bright and uplifting place it is – everyone is so welcoming and helpful. It’s really put my mind at ease, and I’m so proud of Jamie and Harry for doing their bit for the charity.”

St Catherine’s is encouraging other families to join Jamie and Harry – who attends Moss Side Primary School – for the two-mile Santa Dash around the grounds of St Catherine’s Park and Lostock Hall.

Head of fundraising at St Catherine’s, Emma Jacovelli, said: “We’re delighted to have Jamie and Harry on board for the Santa Dash this year – they are wonderful  ambassadors for the charity as they really understand what a difference St Catherine’s makes to families like theirs, and they’re so enthusiastic about getting involved.

“Jamie’s right, it does cost a lot of money to keep the hospice going – including the CNS team who care for people in their own homes. We have to raise a staggering £3.7million of our annual £5.2million running costs, and we really couldn’t continue to offer our specialist care and support at the hospice, in the community and at home without the amazing support of our communities.”

Registration for the Santa Dash is £10 for adults or £5 for children, including Santa suits, hats and beards. There’s also a half-mile Rudolph Rumble for the little ones; registration is £5 and includes antlers and a red nose.

The Christmas Festival is held over the weekend of Saturday and Sunday, December 2 and 3, featuring gift stalls, an ice rink, Santa’s Grotto, Christmas tree sales, a craft fair, live music and Christmas carols, and festive food and drink served up by The Mill Outside including bratwurst sausages, mince pies and mulled wine.

• To sign up for the Santa Dash or Rudolph Rumble, click here; call 01772 629171; visit the hospice or The Mill café in Lostock Lane, or call in at any of the hospice’s charity shops.

Share with your friends!