THE Great Skipton Santa Fun Run will not take place as normal this year, due to the coronavirus pandemic - but people are being asked to raise money instead for deserving causes by taking part in an alternative, or virtual event.

Instead of pounding the streets of Skipton dressed in Santa suits along a 5km route, the hundreds of adults and children who would have taken part, are instead being asked to run, walk, swim or even roller skate following their own, socially distanced route, or perhaps on a static bike in their own home.

They are also being encouraged to dress as Santas, Elves, or perhaps even a Christmas tree, and prizes will be given to the most inventive 5k and to the best outfit.

Organisers, the Rotary Club of Skipton Craven, have staged the event for 10 years. It usually attracts around 2,000 people and has raised thousands for charity, including its main beneficiary, Sue Ryder Manorlands Hospice.

Rotarian Colin Hargreaves, Chairman of the Santa Fun Committee said:“Covid-19 prevents us from staging our 11th Santa fun run which normally starts and finishes on Skipton High Street and really does mark the start of the Christmas festivities.

“However, we are very conscious of the effect that the lockdown has had on fundraising for our local charities, so this alternative fun run will hopefully yield some much-needed funds which we can share between our primary beneficiary – Manorlands – and the various local charities that we support throughout the year.”

This year’s event was to have taken place on Sunday, November 29 and has for the last couple of years been held on the same day as the turning on of the Christmas lights, which has also been cancelled, although there will be festive displays in the town.

The run normally raises more than £25,000 for Manorlands Hospice alone, along with £20,000 for many other local charities that the runners or walkers chose to support.

To give people as much time as possible to carry out their own 5k, the rotary club is asking people to do it sometime over the whole weekend of Saturday, December 12 and Sunday, December 13. As usual, they can choose to support Manorlands Hospice, or a charity of their choice.

Those taking part can run, jog, walk, swim, cycle, roller or ice skate. People can also do their 5km in a wheelchair, mobility scooter, or by using a treadmill or exercise bike.

There will be a prize for the most innovative method of taking on the 5km challenge. Santa Suits and medals will not be provided this year, so all of the £15 entry fee will go to charity.

Entry, £15 for over 16s, free for children.

To enter, and to find out more, visit: skiptonsantafunrun.com/