Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service will send a team of 100 people to take part in the BTR Liverpool Santa Dash, which will be held for the 20th time next weekend.
Since first supporting the event in 2007, the organisation has been a part of the Liverpool Santa Dash for the 16th year. This is the largest group they’ve ever had.
Lincoln, a five-year-old Alder Hey patient from St Helens, will be the honoree at the BTR Liverpool Santa Dash on Sunday, December 3, 2023. Santa Dash organiser BTR Liverpool arranged for Lincoln to meet the crew at St Helens Community Fire Station prior to his duties.
The Official Event Charity Partner for the BTR Liverpool Santa Dash 2023 is Alder Hey Children’s Charity.
There is still time to fundraise for Alder Hey. Charity places are still available here.
The first Liverpool Santa Dash was held in 2004. BTR Liverpool Race Director Alan Rothwell created it, and it is now regarded as the UK’s largest festive 5K fun run.
The BTR Liverpool Santa Dash is on Sunday 3 December, 9.30am start at Pier Head, Liverpool. Thousands of red, blue, and mini Santas will transform the iconic, world-famous waterfront into a sea for the annual event.
Over 5,000 Santas have now registered. Entries are open until Saturday, December 2nd, and all blue spots have been filled. Places in the 1K Mini Dash for children aged 12 and under are now limited.
Register at the St Johns Shopping Centre Santa Dash pop-up shop. The store is on the lower level of St Johns Shopping Centre, close to the Matalan bridge and Post Office.
Monday through Saturday from 9.30am to 5pm, and Sunday from 11am to 4pm The shop also sells official BTR Liverpool Santa Dash merchandise.
Lincoln, an Alder Hey patient, underwent open-heart surgery at the world-class children’s hospital in Liverpool. His contagious enthusiasm and positivity have earned him the honour of representing the charity at this year’s Liverpool Santa Dash.
Lincoln will attend the event with his family, including his mother Tanya, father Mathew, and brothers Deacon, Mac, and Jaxon. He will compete in the 1K Mini Dash, accompanied by Ader Hey Mascot Oli, the elephant who will compete in the main dash.
Since 2007, Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service firefighters and non-operational staff have participated. This year, 100 Santas will represent the organisation, including Chief Fire Officer Phil Garrigan, to support the ethos of health and wellbeing while supporting the community event.
Lincoln, his mum Tanya, and father Mathew were welcomed to St Helens Community Fire Station for a fire station visit. The child was given the full fire station experience, including a tour of the fire engine, shooting water, trying on a fire helmet, and riding in the engine. The crew also gave him his own large toy fire engine to take home, as well as a T-shirt and a baseball cap.
Mark Baldwin, Station Manager at St Helens Community Fire Station, commented:
“We were delighted to welcome Lincoln, Mum and Dad. He’s been through such a lot at his young age, so the crew really wanted to make it a day to remember.
“The BTR Liverpool Santa Dash is something we really look forward to at Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service – and we’ve been taking part since 2007. We’ll have firefighters and recruit firefighters, fire control room staff, support staff and the Chief Fire Officer – all coming together as one team. It’s a great way to promote health and wellbeing, leading an active lifestyle, and having fun all while supporting a community event.
“As we head into the festive season we’d also like to remind people to check their smoke alarms as more electrical items are used in the household, including Christmas lights and decorations – please make sure your sockets are not overloaded. To book a home fire safety check or to replace your smoke alarm free of charge please call 0800 7315958.”
The goal of Alder Hey Children’s Charity is to provide a fun and positive experience for families, often during difficult times, by raising funds for innovative projects and creative activities. The charity is proud to have pioneered life-saving treatments and provided comfort to young patients and their families thanks to generous donations. The funds raised by Alder Hey will be used to support its mission of transforming young lives through cutting-edge equipment, facilities, and groundbreaking medical research.
Lincoln’s Mum Tanya added:
“The care and support Lincoln has received from Alder Hey since he was born has been incredible. Supporting the charity and the BTR Liverpool Santa Dash is our way of saying thank you as a family and giving something back.
“The fire station visit was amazing and something we will never forget. The smile on Lincoln’s face said it all, he was absolutely thrilled. We’d like to say a big thank you to the crew at St Helens Community Fire Station, Alder Hey, and BTR Liverpool – not forgetting Oli the Alder Hey mascot. We cannot wait for the Santa Dash. Lincoln is excited to dress up as Santa, it’s going to be a lovely experience.”
Santas can help Alder Hey Children’s Charity by raising funds or making a one-time donation. The Santa Dash fundraising campaign for 2023 has already surpassed £5,700.
Santa Dash participants or supporters can fundraise or make a donation on the Alder Hey Liverpool Santa Dash official giving page here.
The 5K route begins at Pier Head Liverpool and winds through the Grade I Listed Royal Albert Dock Liverpool estate before reaching a grandstand finish line with stilt-walking festive characters and’real’ snow outside Liverpool Town Hall.
The Lord Mayor of Liverpool, Councillor Mary Rasmussen, will join Lincoln on stage.
The 1K Mini Dash is designed for children aged 12 and under. It begins around 11am on Castle Street, after all of the Santas in the main Dash have completed the course. The youngsters run through the city centre before finishing in front of Liverpool Town Hall.
The sights and sounds of Liverpool drumming band Katumba will greet the Santa Dash and Mini Dash participants as they pass Moorfields Train Station on Dale Street.
The Official Event Media Partner is Radio City. The event is being supported by Leanne and Scott from the Radio City Breakfast Show. Leanne will be running in the main Santa Dash.
For the sixth year, Arriva North West is providing free bus travel across Merseyside on Santa Dash day. Santas must wear their Santa suit and race number in the morning, or their Santa suit and finishers’ medal in the evening, to qualify for free bus transportation to and from the city centre. There is no time limit for travel following the event.
BTR Liverpool is the leading independent organisation in the Liverpool City Region for creating, managing, and delivering high-profile events. Its extensive portfolio spans various distances and terrains, all while remaining committed to sustainability. The BTR Tour of Merseyside, the BTR Liverpool Half Marathon, and the BTR Mersey Tunnel 10K are also on the BTR event calendar.
The entry fee for the Liverpool Santa Dash covers all costs associated with organising and delivering the event, including road closures, safety measures, Santa suits, medals, goody bags, and entertainment.
Full details can be found here.
READ MORE: LIVERPOOL SANTA DASH REVEAL PLANS FOR THIS YEARS FESTIVE SPECTACULAR
