A record number of Santas braved the rain to dash for Oakhaven!

On Sunday 7th December 2025, over 1,160 Santas braved the rain to take part in the 16th Oakhaven Santa Dash, which, so far, has raised over £30,000 for the charity, with sponsorship still being sent in.

Oakhaven Hospice’s much-loved festive fundraiser is known by many as the ‘unofficial start of Christmas in Lymington’. Whether dressing up and taking part or cheering on the Santas as they dash past, Oakhaven’s fun run puts a smile on everyone’s faces, come rain or shine!

The 3km festive fun run around the streets of Lymington started and finished in the High Street, outside the event’s headline sponsor, John D Wood & Co.

Before the race, all the Santas gathered on Lymington High Street for a warm-up led by ‘Chief Elf’ Rob Mangles of The Gym Tin - the sea of red suits and hats stretching down the High Street as far as the eye could see! Rob gave a fun-filled commentary for spectators throughout the race, with plenty of festive jokes and high-fives for the Santas as they crossed the finish line.

Oakhaven’s Santa Dash is popular for all ages and abilities. Well done to Raj Paanandt, Harry Forsyth and Phil Mosley who were the first three runners over the finish line! Meanwhile, congratulations to Susie Kyd who carefully completed the Santa Dash more sedately with two walking sticks, following a multiple sclerosis relapse (read more about Susie’s story here)

Those unable to make it out to watch the event in person enjoyed following the Santa Dash live on Facebook (find it on Oakhaven’s Facebook page if you missed it!)

Jill West, Fundraising Manager for Events and Community at Oakhaven Hospice, said: “We’d like to thank all the Santas and festive friends who joined us for this year’s Santa Dash - in spite of the rain. We’re delighted to have registered more Santas than ever before, and you have fundraised more than last year - over £30,000 so far - with more sponsorship still due in. Early next week we will announce the winners of our new awards for Top Individual Fundraiser, Top Fundraising Team and Top Corporate Fundraiser!

“Many thanks to our ‘Elf’, Rob Mangles, all our wonderful volunteer route marshalls and all the supporters who cheered on the Santas. In particular, we would like to thank our event sponsors, whose financial assistance helped to cover the costs of the event: our Headline Sponsor, John D Wood & Co, who has supported Santa Dash for many years, and our Santa Suit sponsor Scott Bailey LLP.

“Thank you to everyone who supported the event - whether dashing, sponsoring, donating or volunteering. All funds raised by the Santa Dash will help to fund Oakhaven’s day-to-day running costs, which amount to over £9 million each year - that’s over £24,500 each day.”

Oakhaven Hospice provides palliative and end-of-life care for patients and support for their loved ones, free of charge, at the hospice and in homes throughout our New Forest, Totton and Waterside communities - currently over 450 people at any time. In addition, thousands of local people receive ‘Living Well’ support and guidance from Oakhaven Wellbeing at the Coates Centre, following the diagnosis of a life-limiting illness, whilst caring for a loved one, and in bereavement.

Just 11% of Oakhaven’s costs are covered by the NHS. To cover the remaining 89%, your local hospice relies on your kind donations, fundraising, gifts in wills, and income from its charity shops and social enterprise home care provider, Oakhaven Care Ltd, which donates 100% of any profits to the Hospice.

Every penny you donate helps Oakhaven to make every moment matter for local families. To donate please visit oakhavenhospice.co.uk/how-to-donate

If you know someone affected by a life-limiting illness, who is a carer, or who is living with a loss, support is available at the Coates Centre. Visit oakhavenhospice.co.uk/wellbeing for more information.

How to submit your Santa Dash sponsor money

Online: if you have set up a JustGiving page or equivalent – there is nothing you need to do as the funds will be transferred directly to Oakhaven Hospice.

In person or over the phone: please feel free to pop into the office or give us a call 01590 677773. Please make sure you state your donation is sponsorship for Santa Dash.

Post: if you would like to send a cheque in the post please include a letter, clearly stating your name, address and that the cheque is sponsorship for Santa Dash. The cheque should be to ‘The Oakhaven Trust’ and our address is: Oakhaven Hospice, Lower Pennington Lane, Lymington, SO41 8ZZ.

Bank Transfer: to transfer your sponsorship money, please send to the bank details below and put ‘Santa Dash’ as reference. Bank: HSBC UK Bank PLC. Sort Code: 40 30 36. Account no: 21128388