HUNDREDS of fundraisers got out their fluffy hats and red suits to scamper round Christchurch Park for charity.

HUNDREDS of fundraisers got out their fluffy hats and red suits to scamper round Christchurch Park for charity.

The Ipswich Santa Run, organised by East Anglian's Children's Hospices (EACH), saw over 240 people dressed as the red-coated gift giver in the hopes of raising thousands of pounds for the children's charity.

Not even rain could dampen the spirits of the Santa lookalikes yesterday with more people taking part then ever before.

The 3km event, which saw even animals don their festive gear, is expected to smash last year's fund raising efforts of �10,000.

Simon Hempsall, marketing manager for EACH, said: “Last year we had 126 people take part in the Santa Run and this year we have over 240 all hoping to have raised a lot of money. The rain certainly didn't dampen the spirits of our festive runners, and it was so great to see all those smiles as people came running over the hill. This year we should smash the �10,000 we raised last year.”

EACH provides care and support to life-threatened children and their families in their homes as well as at the charity's three hospices in Ipswich, Norfolk and Cambridgeshire.

For more information on the services that EACH provides visit www.each.org.uk