Festive fundraisers will be hoping to run up a fantastic total for local causes when they gather for the Meriden Rotary’s 11th annual Santa Fun Run next month.
The traditional event follows a 5km route at a new venue at Packington Hall, returning on December 11th after two years of being held virtually due to the pandemic.
Rotarian Tony Hill, who organised the Run, said: “We have always held it at Meriden Hall and the 5km route has been around the village. Increasingly the need to arrange road closures and manage traffic has become very onerous and we were increasingly concerned about safety.
“This year we have been able to obtain permission to hold the event at Packington Hall which is a beautiful setting for the event, only made possible by the enthusiastic support of Lady Georgie Guernsey.
“It is our 11th year and we hope that the event will be well supported by our regular runners and newcomers. We will use the proceeds to support Marie Curie and other charities who need our help more than ever this year.”
People are invited to turn up and take part in the Run, which starts at 11am and registration costs £12 for adults and £6 for under 16s. This fee provides a Santa suit and water bottle. And everyone receives a medal when they complete the course.
Further details can be found here
But the familiar jingle of festive bells will also be returning to Meriden’s streets before then, thanks to the Rotarians.
Members of The Rotary Club of Meriden will be joined by volunteers when they take their sleigh out and about between December 5th-18th as children gear up for some pre-Christmas excitement – all in the name of fundraising.
The local routes are as follows. . .
December 5th – Millisons Wood: From 5.45pm. (Albert Road, Grace Road, Bonneville Close, Olympus Close, Daytona Drive, Thebes Close, Armana Drive, Luxor Lane, James Dawson Drive, Main Road)
December 7th – Meriden 1: From 5.45pm. (Maxstoke Lane (The Green), Wyatt Way, Letitia Way, Jubilee Close, Main Road, Strawberry Fields, Glovers Close, Waterfall Close, Main Road, Old Road)
December 8th – Meriden 2: From 5.45pm. (Archery Road, Fillongley Road, Kittermaster Road, Highfield Road, Fillongley Road, Alspath Road, Arden Close, Fairfield Rise, The Croft, Leys Lane, Centenary Drive, St Laurence Close, Mons Avenue, Leys Lane, Fillongley Road)
December 12th – Hampton-in-Arden Lower: From 5.45pm. (Lapwing Drive, Nesfield Close, Corbett’s Close, Hampton Green, Meriden Road, Diddington Lane, Meriden Road, The Crescent, Old Station Road)
December 14th – Kingshurst (Routes to be confirmed near the time)
December 15th – Kingshurst 1 (Routes to be confirmed near the time)
December 16th – Hampton-in-Arden Upper: From 5.45pm. (Fentham Green, Engine Mews, Fentham Road, Meadow Drive, Fentham Close, Fentham Road, Marsh Lane, Elm Tree Rise, Marsh Lane, Bellemere Road, Solihull Road)
Static collections are also taking place at the Hampton-in-Arden Christmas Tree Switch-on event on December 2nd; Melbick’s Garden Centre on December 9th; Packington Hall Santa Fun Run on December 11th; Morrison’s in Sheldon on December 13th and 14th and at Morrison’s in Castle Bromwich on December 18th.
The main beneficiary will be the president’s charity for this year DEBRA UK.
More information about The Rotary Club of Meriden can be found here
