Christmas Festival Success at St Catherine’s

Hundreds of people flocked to St Catherine’s Hospice to enjoy a fantastic Christmas Festival and Santa Dash all in the name of a great cause.
Families enjoyed a host of festive attractions – from visiting Santa in his grotto and getting in a spin on the ice rink to taking a ‘reindeer’ ride on the visiting donkeys who were dressed up for the occasion in antlers and tinsel.

A marquee of fabulous gift stalls selling everything from homemade soaps to Christmas stockings lined the hospice driveway, and people stocked up on cards and crafts at the dedicated craft fair.
Visitors didn’t go hungry with a host of winter warmers on sale from the St Catherine’s catering team, while mulled wine and mince pies went down a storm in the refreshments marquee.
Young Emmerdale actor Joe-Warren Plant even popped by on Saturday afternoon.
The 11-year-old from Poulton, who plays Jacob Gallagher in the ITV soap, signed autographs and posed for pictures.

Joe-Warren, who had two family friends cared for by St Catherine’s said: “I wanted to come along and show my support for a great charity.
“The festival was brilliant – there was loads going on and I was really happy to be there.”
Local musicians and choirs also volunteered their time to perform at the two-day event on Friday and Saturday in the grounds of the Lostock Hall hospice. Among them was another rising young star – 10-year-old singer Millie-Mae Hill, from Lyeland, who entertained citemds with her amazing voice.
The event raised around more than £18,000 to support St Catherine’s work delivering specialised care and support to those affected by life-limiting illnesses in the local community.
Saturday’s event also featured the St Catherine’s Hospice sponsored Santa Dash and Rudolph Rumble, which will raise further cash for the cause when sponsorship money has been collected and handed in.
Around 40 children completed a half-mile ramble around the hospice grounds dressed in reindeer antlers and red noses, while 160 Santas pulled on red suits to complete a two-mile route around Lostock Hall.
Mayor of South Ribble Coun Dorothy Gardner was there to set them on their way and handed out the medals afterwards. First to finish in the Santa Dash was Neil McDonald.

Matt Joinson from Chorley took part in the Rudolph Rumble with young son Peter – who is already a keen runner.
Matt, who then took part in the Santa Dash, said: “It was the first time we’ve taken part in this event and we thought it looked like great fun so decided to sign up.
“Peter already loves taking part in things like this – this was his third charity run and he’s only three!”
Karen Billington, from Lostock Hall, was there to cheer her husband John and daughters Emily, 13, and Florrie, nine, on in the Santa Dash.
She said: “There was a lovely atmosphere – it certainly got us all feeling very Christmassy!”
Rachel Hewitt, head of trading at St Catherine’s Hospice, thanked everyone who had turned out and showed their support, as well as the team of staff and volunteers who gave their time to ensure it was a great success.
She said: “We’re so grateful to everyone who helped make the Festival and Santa Dash such a fun event which has raised much needed funds.
“We hope we’ve got everyone feeling in the festive spirit and that they enjoyed themselves whilst showing their support for St Catherine’s.”

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