Sandall Park’s much-loved Santa Dash will support two important local charity appeals this year.
The festive event, which takes place on Sunday 6 December, will raise funds for Your Hearts and Minds, the charity that supports St John’s Hospice in Balby and is leading an appeal to build a new hydrotherapy pool for people with learning disabilities in Doncaster.
Neil Firbank, Fundraising Co-ordinator for Your Hearts and Minds, said:
“We’re delighted to be partnering with Friends of Sandall Park for this year’s Santa Dash. For nearly 20 years, the event has brought local families together to enjoy some festive fun while supporting good causes, and we’re incredibly grateful to have been chosen as a beneficiary.
“St John’s Hospice has been caring for local people and their families for over three decades, providing specialist palliative and end-of-life care when it is needed most. To continue delivering these vital services, our charity must raise more than £680,000 every year.
“At the same time, we’re working to raise the final £159,000 needed for our Hydrotherapy Pool Appeal. A new purpose-built pool will provide life-changing therapeutic support for people with learning disabilities, while also benefiting the wider community. Every pound raised through events like the Santa Dash helps us move closer to achieving these goals and making a real difference to local lives.”
Entry costs £10 for adults, which includes a Santa suit and medal. Children aged over five can take part for £3.50 and will receive a medal and a pair of reindeer antlers to wear during the dash.
The event is also dog-friendly, with owners asked to keep their pets on a short lead. A maximum of two dogs per person is permitted.
The festive event gets underway at 10am, with stalls, refreshments and Santa’s Grotto available for visitors to enjoy provided by Friends of Sandall Park.
The Santa Dash will begin at 11am, offering families the perfect opportunity to enjoy some festive fun together while supporting a good cause.
Brian Greathead, Chair of Sandall Park said:
“The Santa Dash has become a really special part of the Sandall Park calendar.
“This year we’re delighted to be supporting Your Hearts and Minds and the fantastic work they do through St John’s Hospice, as well as helping towards the hydrotherapy pool appeal.
“We’re also incredibly grateful to Riverside Motors for sponsoring our Christmas Market and helping us to make this event bigger and better than ever.
“We’d love to see hundreds of Santas, children and even their four-legged friends joining us. It’s a fantastic way to kick off the festive season, enjoy Sandall Park and, most importantly, raise funds for two charities that provide vital support to local people.”
Neil Firbank added:
“A huge thank you to Ison Harrison Solicitors for sponsoring our first Santa Dash. Their generosity means every pound raised will go directly to our charity. It’s wonderful to see a local business getting behind the community and helping us continue delivering care and support to the people who need it most.”
To book your place, visit Santa Dash registration or email [email protected].
Published: September 18, 2026