Silcock’s Funland presented Queenscourt Hospice with a £2,000 cheque on 1 December ahead of the annual Santa Sprint, which sees thousands of local residents dress as Father Christmas to take on a seafront fun run.

This year marks the 15th year Silcock’s has sponsored the event, and runners were also able to enjoy free rides on the Golden Gallopers as well as tea and coffee at Silcock’s Pier Family Restaurant after completing the course.

“The Southport Santa sprint was such a wonderful event,” said Silcock’s operations director Serena Silcock-Prince. “It was a brilliant turnout and the weather was definitely on our side. 

“The team from Queenscourt Hospice who organised the event, including Liz Hartley and Dianne Gillespie, were brilliant. There was such a lovely atmosphere on the day. There were lots of familiar faces, people I see coming back to take part every year, and lots of new faces too.”

The Santa Sprint also marks the start of Silcock’s Christmas season, with Silcock-Prince adding “we have gone all out this year.”

“We are starting our Breakfast With Santa events this Friday [6 December]; we have our Christmas tree and Santa’s sleigh inside Silcock’s Pier Restaurant as part of the Southport Gingerbread Trail; and Funland is looking very festive, with our Christmas Prize Shop inside.”