Gallery: The Ely Festive 5K
A sea of Father Christmas hats swept through Ely at the weekend as the Arthur Rank Hospice Charity’s Ely Festive 5K took place.
The Christmas-themed fun run, sponsored by Ward Gethin Archer and Price Bailey – and organised by Arthur Rank Hospice – was held last Sunday (November 24).
A record-breaking number of festive fun-runners – 900 in total – took part in the event on a cloudy but dry morning, starting and finishing in the grounds of Ely Cathedral.
So far this year, the fun runners have raised £15,200 with donations and sponsorship still being received.
Highlights of this year’s fancy dress efforts included Christmas fairies, scores of elves, snowmen, a festively wrapped present, angels, Mrs Claus, Rudolphs, a penguin, a pair of baubles, candy canes and even a Christmas turkey.
Kim Gudgeon ran in memory of her grandfather, who was cared for at Arthur Rank Hospice in June 2019.
Team Grandad Hill included his daughter and her husband, his granddaughter Kim, her partner, their 16-month old son and the in-laws.
They took the prize for best team fancy dress as The Simpsons family, with a Christmas theme.
“We just wanted to be as silly as possible really because Grandad was so silly,” said Kim.
“He was at the hospice for six days and they did a grand job with him, so it’s nice to give something back. It’s just brilliant what they do.
“We loved the turkey and the Christmas present – everyone made a really good effort.
“It was nice to run all together and to have lots of supporters around the route. Grandad would have laughed lots to see us today.”
The money raised will help towards the £4.6m needed, in addition to the NHS contribution, to fund care for more than 4,000 patients and their families this year, at the hospice near Cambridge, the Alan Hudson Day Treatment Centre in Wisbech and in patients’ own homes.
Make a donation on 01223 675888, or at arhc.org.uk/one-off-donation.asp.
