SANTAS of all shapes and sizes sped across frozen ground at Helen and Douglas House’s first Santa run for schools.

More than 330 runners braved freezing temperatures on Friday to turn the sports field of St Edward’s School in North Oxford into a sea of red and white for the 2.5km dash in aid of the children’s hospice.

Runners included Fin Kettlewell and Kat Troeller, both 14, who came second last, as their legs were tied together.

Fin, a Year 10 pupil from Chipping Norton, said: “We just decided to do it on the start line.

“We expected to fall over quite a lot but in the end we did quite well and didn’t fall over at all.”

The race winner was Charlie Harris, a 17-year-old from Great Haseley, near Thame.

He said: “I really enjoyed it. It was really hard work running in full costume, as the beard and hat slow you down a bit and it was quite slippy, particularly going down hill.

“It was great fun, though. It’s amazing how many people are here supporting a really good cause.”

The event is estimated to have raised £10,000 for the East Oxford hospice, which cares for children and young people with life limiting illnesses.

Andrew Trotman, the warden of the Woodstock Road school, said: “We were asked if we would host this event and we were only too pleased to.

“What a lovely way to spend a cold, frosty morning.

“We’d be only happy to do it next year or take part if it was hosted at another school.”

Fiona Evans, the hospice’s events fundraising manager, said: “It was great to see so many people out on such a cold morning.”

Two Santa runs next month will raise more money for the hospice in Magdalen Road.

The first is at the Cornbury Park estate, near Charlbury, on Sunday.

Santa’s On The Run will then be held in Oxford city centre on Sunday, December 12. It is expected to attract more than 1,000 Santas.

For more details and to sign up to take part, see helenand douglas.org.uk or call 01865 799150.