Arbroath folk are rushing to join an energetic cancer fundraiser which will bring the town to a spectacular standstill next month.
For the first time the burgh will be staging its own Santa Dash, a colourful family event which has proved a runaway festive success the length and breadth of the county.
Arbroath’s dash has been set for Sunday December 4 and already locals have been lining up to show their support for the event, but the woman behind the idea says there will be no shortage of red suits and white beards available and hopes to have around 200 Santas taking part.
Jakki Henderson, who with husband Chris owns Arbroath’s well-known Portcullis pub, decided bring the dash to the town to support the local Cancer Research UK committee which regularly meets there to arrange successful fundraisers including the town’s New Year’s Day dook and the Moontrose nightwalk.
“I stumbled upon one of their meetings and then decided to get involved with the committee, so this is my first event for them,” said Jakki.
“The Santa Dash is a really good family event and I thought it would be a really good thing for the town to have the first one in Arbroath.”
Starting from the town’s historic Abbey, the Santas will run down the High Street to John Street and then out to the Arbroath cliffs where a marquee and refreshments will await them – as well as Santa with a gift for participating youngsters.
Jakki added: “Myself, Chris and our children Luis, 10, and Ruby Jo, 8, plus our 11-month-old Newfoundland, Blue will all be doing the Dash as well as members of staff and customers from the Porty.
“We’ve already been out in the town promoting the event and a lot of people have taken registration forms away but we hope they will sign up as soon as possible.
“I’d really like to get about 200 to do it, and I think that’s a realistic target so hopefully people will want to take part.
“Registration is the day before at the Portcullis, where everyone can pick up their Santa suits,” she added.
Entry details are available on Facebook or from the Portcullis, with adults £12, children £8, family £38 and under 5s free.
Santa Dashes have become a firm fixture on the festive fundraising calendar, with over 6,000 involved in last year’s Glasgow event.
