The route has been revealed for this year’s much-loved Rudolph Run, where Santa and his happy helpers spread festive cheer around Ipswich.

The annual fundraiser, which has been going for more than 40 years, features volunteers joining Ipswich Greyfriars Round Table members as they make their way around the town on a sleigh collecting cash for charity while making families smile.

This year the money raised will be donated to Families in Need (FIND), which provides food parcels for vulnerable people in the town, and Ipswich Winter Night Shelter, which offers a bed and warm meals to homeless people in different host churches throughout the coldest months of the year.

Glenn Williamson, from Ipswich Greyfriars Round Table, said: “We are looking forward to getting going and raising a large amount of money for two worthy local charities.”

The 2017 route will be:

December 1: Ravenswood, leaving the Raven at 6.30pm

December 4: Whitehouse, leaving the Suffolk Punch at 6.30pm

December 5: Gainsborough, leaving John Lewis at 6.30pm

December 6: Christchurch Park east, leaving The Woolpack at 6.30pm

December 7: Selkirk, leaving The Selkirk at 6.30pm

December 8: Rivers, leaving the Margaret Catchpole at 6.30pm

December 11: Chantry, leaving The Kingfisher at 6.30pm

December 12: Belstead Hills, leaving The Belstead Arms at 6.30pm

December 13: The Crofts, leaving The Man on the Moon at 6.30pm

December 14: Bramford Road, leaving The Red Lion at 6.30pm

December 15: Broke Hall, leaving The Golf at 6.30pm

December 17: Family run in the Woodbridge Road area, leaving The Royal George at 3pm

December 18: Kesgrave, leaving The Bell Inn at 6.30pm

December 19: Stoke Park, leaving The Belstead Brook at 6.30pm

December 20: California area, leaving The Lattice Barn at 6.30pm

December 21: Australia estate, leaving The Lattice Barn at 6.30pm

December 22: Christchurch Park west, leaving The Greyhound at 6.30pm

Donations to the Rudolph Run cause can also be made online.