ASHBY Castle Rotary Club's Santa Fun Run and Walk will mark its 10th anniversary next month.

Entries are now being accepted for the event which will take place on the Bath Grounds on Sunday, December 1, from 10.30am.

You can enter online HERE or via paper entry either by downloading an entry form from the website or visiting the Rotary Club stall in town on Saturdays 16^{, 23} and 30 this month.

The Rotary Club hopes it will be bigger and better than ever for the landmark event which has become a fixture of the Ashby Christmas calendar.

It is part of the Ashby Christmas weekend which sees the Christmas Fair return to Market Street and the festive lights switched on over the weekend. 

For many, this marks the start of the Christmas season.

The event will run with its ever-popular format, but with a slightly adjusted picturesque route around the town and Bath Grounds of around 3km - which is open and suitable for people to run or walk. 

The Rotary Club is asking all entrants to dress up in festive Christmas dress, such as Santa suits, Christmas jumpers, reindeer suits or anything else that shouts Christmas.

This year also sees the return of the 'Best Christmas Fancy Dress' competition.

Prizes will be given out for the best Christmas-dressed man, woman, boy and girl - and dog.

Fitness Republic, Ashby BID and Pet Deli have again provided prizes, including Ashby gift cards - to spend around the shops and venues in town - and gym memberships. 

Entry fees remain at £7 per person for all age groups, with discounts being given for groups of four and above. 

Those who complete the event will receive a 2024 event medal, a free sweet treat from event partners Sweet Memory Lane and all will get a free chocolate bar at the end.

There will be entertainment at the Bath Grounds on the day with a fun warm-up before the event starts provided by Fitness Republic, children's fair rides, Christmas music for the duration of the event and plenty of refreshments available with Gilly's Fine Foods keeping everyone fed and watered before and after a morning's exercise. 

Photo: Supplied

Thanks to the support the event continues to receive from local businesses in sponsorship - and all of the Santas who take part - the event has raised over £90,000 for local charities in the last nine years.

The Rotary Club is hoping to break through the £100,000 mark this year.

The main charities set to benefit from this year's event are Rainbows Hospice for Children and Young People, Staunton Harold Sailability Trust and LOROS Hospice - with net proceeds split between these charities and the Rotary Club. 

All three charities do work to help local people in need across all age groups.

The event has again received support from Ashby Hastings Cricket Club, which will be opening up the pavilion for facilities and refreshments. 

There will be musical entertainment with all of your favourite Christmas songs and not forgetting the 'real' Rotary Santa and sleigh will also be on hand to talk to young and old alike and give out chocolates.

Photo: Ashby Nub News

Dale Warren from the Rotary Club of Ashby Castle said: "It's been a really busy few weeks as we put the final touches to this year's event, and we can hardly believe we are here 10 years on from the first Santa Run. 

"We're working hard to try and push the total raised for charity over the years beyond £100,000 in our 10^th anniversary year - and the fact this phenomenal figure is even possible is thanks to everybody who has taken part over the years and for all the support we've received from local businesses in sponsorship and providing services. 

"We've had a fabulous response again already to this year's event with nearly 200 Santas having signed up already in under a week. 

Photo: Ashby Nub News

"This is looking like being another really popular Santa Fun Run and Walk, and we can't wait to see the fun and community spirit on the day. 

"It brings great warmth to all and added to the amount of money that we have been able to raise for local charities over the years, it's a wonderful event to be involved in. We can't wait to see the vast array of Christmas costumes turn the Bath Grounds into a sea of festive colour. The organising team would all like to thank all who continue to support this event and help us to achieve this".

The Rotary Club will be outside Boots in Ashby for the three Saturdays for entrants to collect their entry numbers in advance of the event, once you have signed up, and there will also be an opportunity to sign up in person on these days. 

Also for sale on the stall will be the 10^th Anniversary Mug at £5, with £1.50 from each mug going to the supported charities.

If you are interested in finding out more about Rotary, contact secretary Debbie Hamilton at [email protected] or visit www.ribi.org.