Local charity Dorothy House Hospice Care is partnering with Bath College on an Employability project as part of the College’s Academy of Business scheme.
Level three, Year two students from the International Business Studies BTEC course at Bath College will be supporting the hospice with event management activities for their 7th annual ‘Santa & Elf Run’ fundraising event in Winsley on Sunday 3rd December.
To sign up for their Christmas fun run, visit www.santaandelfrun.org.uk.
The Academy of Business is a new venture set up by Bath College to prepare students for working in business by giving them access to industry roles and experts.
A number of local organisations have already signed up to offer work placements, company visits, student mentoring and business talks including Dorothy House. The hospice worked with Bath College before when they hosted a ‘Before I Die…’ Wall event for the hospice during Dying Matters Week in May 2017.
Entries are now open for Dorothy House’s Santa & Elf Run on Sunday 3rd December. The 2.5k or 5k fun run is open to all ages and will start and finish in the hospice grounds in Winsley.
The runners will be raising valuable funds to support the work of the hospice which provides specialist palliative and end of life care for people living with a life-limiting illness in Wiltshire, Bath & North-East Somerset and Somerset.
The newly named ‘Santa and Elf Run’ for 2017 invites local people to join in the fun and run, walk or skip either the 2.5km or 5km route with adults dressed as Santa and children as Christmas Elves.
This year the race is open to all the family and will take place on a new, flatter course (dogs are welcome if on a short lead) and there will be exciting Snow Stations to run through in the scenic grounds of the hospice.
Spectators are welcome and mulled wine, hot food and other refreshments will be available to buy so there is something for everyone to enjoy.
The fun run starts at 11am on 3rd December with registration from 10am and a warm up session at 10.50am. Entry costs £15 for 12+ years and £7.50 for 5-11 year olds.
All 12+ year old participants will receive a Santa suit at registration and 5-11 year olds will receive Elf accessories included in their entry fee plus free refreshments after the run.
All runners aged 16 years and under must be accompanied by an adult. Entries will close at 5pm on Thursday 30th November. Adult entrants are encouraged to raise £40 in sponsorship or make a donation of £40 in lieu of sponsorship to help support Dorothy House Hospice Care.
Lucy Beattie, Employability Advisor at Bath College said of the partnership with Dorothy House: “It’s an amazing opportunity for our students to get involved with a top local charity and help organise an event for a great cause while gaining real life experience in event management.
“The College aims to give students as much exposure to local employers as possible and give them experience to put their learning into practice.”
Emily Knight, Event Fundraiser at Dorothy House Hospice Care said of working with Bath College students on the Santa and Elf Run: “We’re delighted to partner with Bath College’s Academy of Business venture and to have the support of their Business Studies students in organising the Santa & Elf Run this year.
“We’ll be passing on our years of experience in event management during the project and we can’t wait to see all the Santa’s and Elves taking to the lanes of Winsley to raise money for the Hospice. Why not sign up the whole family!”
Bethan Good, originally from Bath before growing up in Bradford on Avon, explained why she is taking part in the fun run for Dorothy House. She said: “Last year was the first time myself and my husband Tim took part in the Santa fun run and we really enjoyed it.
“We took part in memory of my wonderful Mum, Margaret Smith who was cared for by the hospice in September 2015, it was a great chance to raise money for a wonderfully caring hospice.
“This year I’m taking part with my sister Rebecca and I’d highly recommend the fun run to anyone so throw on a Santa suit and enjoy a jog or a walk around the stunning Winsley countryside.”
To enter the fun run event visit www.santaandelfrun.org.uk.
