

Newark Santa Dash fun run raises over £1,000 for Children’s Bereavement centre
It was the first event of its kind in the town centre, managing to raise over £1,000 for the charity and all dashers had three chances to win an amazing prize.
The first was a present grab from the Newark Round Table Sleigh in St Marks Place, where Santa handed out a wrapped present with three boxes containing a golden ticket to win a supermarket voucher.
Dashers’ numbers were used as ticket entry into a Christmas Raffle which included a chance to win a TV donated by Currys and Christmas Trees, among a host of other prizes donated by local businesses.
Rachel Wilson, fundraising manager at the Children’s Bereavement Centre, said: “Sunday was an amazing day and we were delighted with the number of people that entered and the effort they all went to with their dressing up.
“It was a real family affair with babies in push chairs and even the four-legged members of the family got involved all in fancy dress of course.
“The event was organised by Newark College as part of their Accumulator Challenge for the Children’s Bereavement Centre and although we don’t have a total raised yet they smashed their £1,000 target.
“We wanted to organise an event that everyone could get involved in, and was fun with a festive feel.
“A huge thank you to everyone that braved the rain and came out to support us, whether it was dashing, volunteering, or cheering the dashers on.”
Penny Taylor MBE, head of Newark College, said: “Students from Newark College planned the Santa Dash to support the Children’s Bereavement Centre Accumulator challenge.
“The idea grew with the enthusiasm from the group and working with local employers who donated some fantastic prizes.
“This allowed some people to ‘win Christmas’ and ensured everyone had a present — that’s what happens at Christmas.”
“We are delighted with the total raised and the learning from this for the students allows them to develop key communication, organisational and project management skills, which providing a positive contribution in the local community”