Ready steady ho-ho-ho

Tuesday 29 November 2011

Runners support Mencap at Manchester’s Santa Dash

Hundreds of people dressed up as Father Christmas to support Mencap at a Santa Dash in Manchester on Sunday.

The 5km event in Heaton Park was part of The Co-operative’s Charity of the Year fundraising for Mencap and its sister charity ENABLE Scotland.

All the money raised by The Co-operative is going towards Inspire Me, a programme to transform the lives of 20,000 young people with a learning disability.

Following a warm-up led by Rochdale AFC club mascots, runners were sent on their way by Manchester’s Lord Mayor, Councillor Harry Lyons JP. Soap stars Sarah Jayne Dunn and Cherylee Houston also cheered on the runners.

Cherylee Houston (pictured), who plays Izzy in Coronation Street, said: “I was delighted to be involved with such a fun-filled event that is helping to raise money to develop Inspire Me, a programme that will make a huge difference to the lives of so many young people with a learning disability.”

Sarah Jayne Dunn, best known for her role as Mandy Richardson in Hollyoaks, continued: “In addition to joining in the fun, everyone who got involved has played a part in helping to support and inspire up to 20,000 young people with a learning disability to be the very best that they can be.”

Mencap Santa Dashes also took place in Nottingham and Cardiff on 20 November and a further event is due to take place in Sheffield on 4 December.

Other ways to support Mencap this Christmas include Carols by Candlelight concerts, Make With Me and shopping online through Give As You Live.