Santas fill West Park for the Beacon Santa run.

Express & Star

The orginal run was cancelled due to storm but today Christmas came in the form of a load of Santas raising money for blind charity Beacon. Laps of the park were completed in suits and beards.

Transcript

00:00West Park, and there's tons of Santas around. What's going on? It's your fault isn't it?

00:04Yeah, it's all our fault for being concerned.

00:06So this is our Santa comeback run.

00:08So, the storm in December meant we had to cancel our annual run.

00:13But we're delighted to start Christmas again in January.

00:16Cheer everybody up and get them running around West Park.

00:19And we've got the Mayor here.

00:21We have, yes.

00:22She's doing 5k as well, that's right isn't it?

00:24No, I don't think so.

00:25I need to to keep warm, but I don't think so.

00:29It's a big event for you isn't it really?

00:32Not just the fundraising, but raising the profile as well.

00:35Beacon, what do Beacon do?

00:37So, we are a sight loss charity.

00:39So we support anybody that's impacted by sight loss.

00:42We operate all across the Black Country.

00:45And this is our 150th anniversary year.

00:48So we're doing a whole range of different activities.

00:51Not just to fundraise as you say, but to raise awareness of the charity and of sight loss.

00:57Isn't it weird though?

00:58You took a few Santa suits about, some Christmas music in the background.

01:01And I'm back there mate, vibe wise.

01:03I'm happy to go home and get a mince pie and watch a Christmas film.

01:07Yeah, are you going to buy any Christmas presents though?

01:09Well, yeah, but that's the nice bit, that bit's done.

01:12So, thank you guys.

01:14And Beacon are amazing.

01:15Anyone who lives in Wolverhampton and doesn't know what they do is crazy.

01:18You'll second that Mayor, won't you?

01:19What they do is amazing.

01:21Beacon's one of my charities to be shared.

01:24So that's why I'm here, to support them as much as we possibly can.

01:28Great stuff, well good luck with it guys, thank you.

01:32It's January, we're in West Park, Father Christmas, what's going on?

01:37Is that a cold?

01:39Yeah, it is to be honest, it's keeping us warm.

01:41Matic in bottom and gang.

01:44Yes, so we're here today to assist the Beacon Centre for the Blind to raise some much needed funds.

01:49We should have been doing it in December.

01:51Unfortunately, due to the weather, it got put off.

01:53So it's been put off until today, which is why we're all January'd up.

01:57Unfortunately though, we're hoping that the storm that's allegedly in, storm viewing, is going to pass by and miss us.

02:03But with a bit of luck, we'll manage it.

02:06How are you going to cope running in a suit? Doesn't this just make you even more sweaty?

02:10Probably, but hopefully it's going to keep me warm.

02:14How far have you got to run?

02:155k.

02:16I mean, you can, is this a tried and tested distance?

02:20No.

02:21When did you last run 5k Jill?

02:24Probably October.

02:26Go on Phil, what about you? Have you ever run 5k?

02:29Yeah.

02:30It's as good as me being presumptuous.

02:32Yeah, I run 5k.

02:33You're a 10k man.

02:34So you can spur them on.

02:36Half marathon this year.

02:37Oh right, fair do's.

02:38Well, good luck with it guys and thank you for getting involved with the Beacon.

02:42Cheers.

02:43That's Patch isn't it, down there making himself known.

02:46Hello Patch.

02:48He's got a Santa phobia isn't he, that's what it is.

02:51Where have you come from guys?

02:53Oh yeah, Coventry.

02:54Yeah, yeah.

02:55And have you done the Santa run before?

02:58No.

02:59And how are your running skills, are they okay?

03:04So it'll be a leisurely 5k?

03:06Yeah.

03:07So why did you want to get involved?

03:09You knew about Beacon as a charity before did you?

03:12Yeah, it's a really great cause to support.

03:15We wanted to come out and support them.

03:17Great stuff.

03:18And you'd second that then?

03:20They do great work don't they?

03:21Yeah.

03:22Cool, let's get a big ho ho ho.

03:24Ho ho ho.

03:26How you doing guys, you okay?

03:28Doing good.

03:29Who's this little fella?

03:30This is Arthur.

03:31Arthur, Arthur.

03:33He's very excited by all these Santas.

03:37He's only a pup isn't he?

03:38He's seven months.

03:40Cool.

03:41Do you reckon you're going to do the full 5k?

03:43Yeah, I think so yeah.

03:44I think so.

03:45Yeah, wicked, cool.

03:46Good luck guys, thank you.

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