IN BRIEF
THE HIVE HOSTS
CHRISTMAS DAY
CELEBRATION FOR
WIRRAL FAMILIES IN NEED
THOUSANDS TAKE PART IN
SANTA DASH 2018!
CREDIT: PAUL FRANCIS COOPER
Wirral’s state-of-the-art Youth Zone, The Hive is again
living up to its promise of delivering an outstanding
offering to young people in the borough, 365 days a
year, with a special festive programme that will see it
open its doors to families in need on Christmas Day. Seven thousand Santas pulled on their running shoes this
December to take part in the UK’s biggest festive fun run.
During the Christmas Day session young people and their loved
ones will be treated to a full Christmas dinner and will have the
opportunity to enjoy a wide range of activities together, completely
free of charge. This years event attracted participants from across the globe, with
Santas travelling from France, Gibraltar, Norway, Switzerland and the
United States of America specially to take part alongside those from
closer to home from the Isle of Man and Ireland.
Members of The Hive staff will give up their time on Christmas Day
to help serve up the festive feast, run the programme of activities and
organise some team games. Each of the young people attending will
receive a Christmas gift, to help make it an occasion to remember. Hundreds of Santas also took advantage of free bus travel from across
Merseyside into the city centre for the Santa Dash and home again,
thanks to the support of Arriva North West for the second consecutive
year. This year’s 5K route changed due to ongoing road works in the
city, but it gave Santas the opportunity to run along The Strand and
through the Grade I Listed Royal Albert Dock Liverpool estate for the
very first time.
Adam Mellor, CEO of The Hive who will be helping to serve
Christmas dinner to guests on the 25th December said, “Our mission
to provide young people in Wirral with somewhere to go, something
to do and someone to talk to doesn’t grind to a halt at Christmas. In
fact, it’s vital that we provide support to the community at this time
of year, a time that can be challenging for many of us, from both an
emotional and financial perspective.
“This will be the second year that we’ve hosted a Christmas Day
session and we hope that this year’s event will be just as enjoyable for
everyone involved, offering festive cheer where it’s needed most. Of
course, the Christmas Day session is just one element of what we’re
offering at The Hive during the Christmas season. We’ll continue to
host Junior, Senior and Hiveability sessions throughout December
for all of our Members, with lots of celebratory fun to be had.”
The Hive’s Christmas Day Session will run from 11am to 3pm
and is open to young people up to age 25 with an accompanying
adult. Those interested in attending should email: adminoffice@
thehiveyouthzone.org or call 0151 705 8000. Spaces are limited so
advance booking is required.
The 15th annual BTR Liverpool Santa Dash took place on Sunday 2nd
December and saw the city transformed into a sea of red, blue and
mini Santas.
BTR Liverpool is the leading independent organisation for creating,
managing and delivering headline race events across Liverpool City
Region.
BTR Race Director Alan Rothwell commented: "What an incredible
day – 7,000 Santas dashing through the streets of Liverpool city centre,
it doesn’t get much better than that. Our dashing Santas didn’t even
let bad weather dampen their spirits on what proved to be a very
memorable day. Christmas has officially started in Liverpool – well
done to everyone who took part."
The Santa Dash registration fee covers all costs to organise and deliver
the event, including road closures and safety measures, Santa suits,
medals, and entertainment.
The 16th Liverpool Santa Dash is on Sunday 1 December 2019 – entries
will open shortly.
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