Dashing through the streets of Ipswich, Rudolph and Father Christmas are supporting a children’s charity this year.
The Rudolph Run has been organised by Ipswich Round Table for more than 40 years – raising hundreds of thousands of pounds for good causes.
This year, as children peak out from their bedroom windows, they will see the familiar sight of Santa on his sleigh asking for donations.
Santa is supported by a team of elves who knock on doors during their 17 trips round the town through December.
Craig Sennett, vice-chairman for the Ipswich Round Table, said: “We recently realised that we visit thousands of homes because on some nights we have a lot of runners and we are able to knock on more doors. The average elf helper must visit around 30 homes a night. On Wednesday night we went round the Bramford Road area and counted the money which was £800.
“A lot of us in the Ipswich Round Table remember Rudolph coming round and now we are doing it.
“One of the things which is really nice is the support we get from businesses – they send staff out to do some of the running and some of the firms also match the funds that are raised on a particular night.
“I’d also like of thank the people of Ipswich for their support – without it, it would not happen.”
Last year £13,000 was raised by the Rudolph Run – with the money going to Suffolk Family Carers and CLIC Sargent.
Funds for this year are going to Town 102’s Kids Trust.
Where can you see santa?
Tonight Santa will be going round The Crofts area, starting at the Man on the Moon pub at about 6.10pm
There other visits, which all begin at that time, are:
Monday - The Rivers Estate, Margaret Catchpole pub
Tuesday - The California area, Brickmakers Arms
Wednesday - Selkirk Area, Selkirk Pub
Thursday - Castle Hill and Whitehouse, The Suffolk Punch
Friday - Gainsborough, Brewery Tap
December 14 - Woodbridge Road area, The Royal George
December 15 - Broke Hill, The Golf pub
December 16 - Christchurch East, Woolpack pub
December 17 - Ravenswood, The Raven pub
December 18 - Kesgrave, The Bell pub
December 19 - The Australian Estate, The Golf pub
December 22 - Christchurch West, The Greyhound pub
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