A HOSPICE is encouraging people to join other Santa lookalikes in raising money on a charity run next weekend.

The fourth annual St Clare Hospice Santa Run is set to attract hundreds of people who will run, jog, or walk a 4km course in Father Christmas costumes.

The start area is at the Secret Nuclear Bunker car park in Kelvedon Hall Lane, near Ongar, and there will be a warm up at 10.45am before the race starts at 11am on December 9.

Grace Clutton, Events Fundraiser at St Clare Hospice, in Hastingwood,which provides palliative care, said: "I know Christmas can be an especially difficult time of year for those who have lost someone close to them.

“Just £40 raised could pay for an hour of counselling by our specialist team while £100 could provide advice and support from our Therapy Team to help one patient return home for Christmas from our In-patient Unit.

“Every penny raised from the Santa Fun Run will help the hospice care for local people this Christmas.”

To find out more, visit www.stclarehospice.org.uk, or ring the events team on 01279 773750.