Yorkshire Coast residents urged to take part in 'Festive 5k' for charity

Saint Catherine's has launched its Christmas appeal

Author: Karen LiuPublished 9th Dec 2022

People on the Yorkshire Coast are being invited to dress up as Santa or in a festive way to fundraise for charity.

Saint Catherine's is holding a 5k event at North Yorkshire Water Park at Wykeham on Sunday, starting at 10am. Participants can run, jog or walk the route.

It is open to everyone and registration is free online on Saint Catherine's website.

Tracy Calcraft, fundraising and marketing director, said: “As the festive season approaches, we are inviting everyone to join us to have fun and help raise essential funds so we can continue to care for our patients and families 24/7, 365 days a year including Christmas Day.

“Our festive themes this year are ‘shop, celebrate and gather’, so there is something for everyone who would like to get involved and help us to help others.”

Supporter Justine Greenwood, of Seamer, who features in the hospice’s Christmas appeal, lost her husband James in March 2021 following a six-year battle with cancer.

James was just 38 years old when he passed away at the in-patient unit at Saint Catherine’s and Justine was 34.

Justine said: “The care was just amazing. The kids could come and go and his parents were able to see him, as well as his sisters. We were looked after as family. It made me feel like I could be the wife I wanted to be for James in his last few days.”

Every pound makes a difference this Christmas, for example:

• £20 could pay for a patient’s Christmas dinner, drinks and food for the day

• £50 could pay for a therapy session for a patient

• £75 could pay for bereavement counselling for a patient’s loved ones.

The charity has also launched its Christmas appeal offering supporters the following ways to help raise much-needed funds to ensure patients and their families receive the care they need:

• Festive 5K event – Sunday 11 December, 10am, North Yorkshire Water Park, Wykeham.

• Carols by Candlelight – Wednesday 14 December, 6pm, St Mary’s Parish Church, Scarborough.

• Christmas cards and calendars – on sale now in their 12 charity shops and online at www.saintcatherines.org.uk/online-shop/

• Virtual gifts – buy the gift of care this Christmas www.saintcatherines.org.uk/virtual-gifts/

• Christmas appeal is on its way by post to regular supporters. You can order extra packs by emailing fundraising@saintcatherines.org.uk

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