Families and runners across Northern Ireland are being encouraged to get in to the festive spirit, don a Santa suit, and take part in this year’s Santa Dash Belfast City 2018 on Sunday 2 December 2018!
Cool FM Breakfast Show presenters Pete Snodden, Rebecca McKinney and Paolo Ross will join Santa in his sleigh to kickstart the event with a fun warm-up session at Writer’s Square, Belfast.
Sponsored by local construction and facilities management group GRAHAM, Santa Dash Belfast City 2018 is organised by Cash for Kids Northern Ireland, with everything raised supporting disadvantaged children across Northern Ireland!
Eryn Duff, Charity Manager, Cash For Kids, explains how to get involved:
“We are absolutely delighted that GRAHAM has come on board to support our campaign and it’s great to see how many of their employees are getting actively involved. Hundreds of families and runners took part last year and we are hoping to see even more there this year!
“There are two different registration options. You can join Santa and the Cool FM Breakfast team and take part in the 2km Dash, singing carols along the way. Registration is just £7.50 per adult and includes a free Santa suit. Children can join in for free too!
“Or you can sign up for the timed 5km route which is suitable for those aged 15 and over and achieve your Personal Best in a Santa suit! Registration is just £25 and includes a free Santa suit and 5K finishers medal.”
GRAHAM specialises in the delivery of award-winning building, civil engineering, interior fit-out projects and facilities management services. Discussing the partnership with Cash for Kids, Brendan Devlin, Managing Director, GRAHAM Facilities Management, says:
“We are thrilled to be part of this important annual event and support the local community. Our colleagues will be responsible for traffic management and marshalling at the event, and many of our employees and their families will also be taking part to fundraise for Cash for Kids.
“A number of sports people close to GRAHAM are helping us to promote this special event. Kerry O’Flaherty, who represented Ireland in the 3,000m steeplechase at the Olympic Games in Rio; Ed McGinley, Content Manager for GRAHAM and former Irish international athlete; and David O’Flaherty, Maintenance Estimator for GRAHAM Facilities Management, and a member of the award-winning Northern Ireland and Ulster Senior 2016 Cross Country Championship Team, are all supporting the initiative.
Kerry O’Flaherty*, who represented Ireland in the 3,000m steeplechase at the Olympic Games in Rio, says;
“It is always a pleasure to support my local community and promote fitness for all ages. The Santa Dash is a great event for everyone, young and old, with the 2k walk and 5k run. I would encourage people to give this festive run a go and be a Claus for a good cause!”
Ed McGinley and David O’Flaherty explain why GRAHAM staff are so keen to get involved:
“It is a privilege for all of us at GRAHAM to be associated with the Santa Dash. It promises to be a great occasion for all of the family. Behind all of the craic, there is a serious element and we are hoping to raise significant money to support the very worthy charities. We are looking forward to donning our Santa suits, lacing up our trainers and ‘dashing’ around the city centre.”
For further information and to register check out www.coolfm.co.uk/dash
Santa Dash Belfast City 2018 is organised by Cash for Kids, sponsored by GRAHAM** and supported by Cool FM, DownTown Radio, DownTown Country and Athletics Northern Ireland.
The Cash for Kids Santa Dash supports nominated local children’s charities each year, which receive 100% of registration donation and sponsorship. This year, participants can support Cash for Kids, Action Cancer, Autism NI, Aware NI, Cancer Focus NI, Children’s Heartbeat Trust, Extern, Friends of the Cancer Centre, Mencap, NSPCC and VOYPIC (Voice of Young People in Care).
MAIN PIC:(l-r) Ed McGinley, Content Manager for GRAHAM (event sponsors) and former Irish international athlete; Kerry O’Flaherty, who represented Ireland in the 3000m steeplechase at the Olympic Games in Rio; and David O’Flaherty, Maintenance Estimator for GRAHAM Facilities Management and a member of the award-winning Northern Ireland and Ulster Senior 2016 Cross Country Championship Team;
