5 Weeks To Liverpool Santa Dash As Free Arriva Bus Travel And Pop up Shop Announced

THE countdown is on to the 19th annual BTR Liverpool Santa Dash which takes place in 5 weeks' time on Sunday, 4 December 2022. The event was created by independent race event organisation BTR Liverpool, who organise and stage the 5K festive fun run each year.

The latest announcement from BTR Liverpool highlights free Arriva bus travel on event day, and next week's opening of the City Centre pop-up shop in St Johns Shopping Centre for in-person registration and Santa suit collection.

Highly regarded as the City's kick start to Christmas, Liverpool will be transformed into a sea of Santas when thousands pull on their red and blue festive attire for the annual spectacular.

This year's Liverpool Santa Dash was launched recently in glorious sunshine aboard the iconic Mersey Ferry; much to the amusement of passengers who were greeted by a group of excited Santas.

Thrilled with the colourful festive sight, they joined in the fun by posing for selfies with Santas, along with the spontaneous singing of Christmas songs.

The BTR Liverpool Santa Dash 2022 is sponsored by Park Christmas Savings, part of Liverpool-based Appreciate Group.

Alder Hey Children's Charity returns as the official event charity, with fundraising Santas supporting its ongoing Surgical Neonatal Appeal. In Demand Radio is supporting the event as official media partner. All 3 organisations are returning for a second consecutive year. And now with just 5 weeks to go, BTR Liverpool is delighted to announce that Arriva North West is once again offering free bus travel on event day.

Arriva North West is supporting the Liverpool Santa Dash for the fifth time by offering participants free travel on the Arriva bus network across Merseyside throughout event day.

To claim complimentary bus travel to or from the City Centre, Santas must be wearing their Santa suit and race number on the morning, or their Santa suit and finishers' medal when travelling home. There is no cut off time post run.

Lisa Pearson, Arriva Head Of Marketing, commented:- "The Santa Dash is a great event that really unites the people of Liverpool for a day of festive fun while raising much-needed funds for charity. It's a pleasure to once again be involved by offering free travel to all those taking part. We're looking forward to seeing lots of red and blue Santas on-board our buses and throughout the City on the day."

Liverpool Santa Dash was created by BTR Liverpool Race Director Alan Rothwell. It was 1st staged in 2004; and 2023 marks its milestone 20th staging. It has continued each year, including a virtual format in 2020 during the Covid19 pandemic when mass participation events were not permitted. The 1K Mini Dash for youngsters aged 12 and under was introduced in 2007, while blue Santa suits were launched in 2010.

In 2021, a sea of 5,000 red, blue and mini Santas took to the streets of Liverpool for the UK's biggest festive 5K fun run.

The Santa Dash pop up shop has opened its doors at:- St Johns Shopping Centre for registration and Santa suit collection. The shop is located on the upper level near the Matalan bridge. Opening times are:- Monday to Saturday, from:- 9.30am to 5pm, and Sunday:- 11am to 4pm.

BTR Liverpool is the leading independent organisation for creating, managing, and delivering headline running events across Liverpool City Region. Its extensive portfolio covers various distances across different terrains, all with an ongoing commitment to sustainability.

The BTR event portfolio also includes:- the Tour Of Merseyside, Liverpool Skyline Half Marathon, Mersey Tunnel 10K, Port Sunlight Road Race 5K and 10K, and Run For The 97.

BTR Liverpool Race Director Alan Rothwell explained:- "We plan for the BTR Liverpool Santa Dash all year round. The weeks are flying by and now we are just 5 weeks until this festive spectacular returns for 2022. We're thrilled to once again welcome Arriva North West into the Santa Dash family with their very generous support of free bus travel for Santas throughout event day. We're working closely with headline sponsor Park Christmas Savings, event charity Alder Hey Children's Charity, and media partner In Demand Radio; who are all on-board for a 2nd year; to ensure a fantastic day filled with fun, laughter, and big smiles. It is a very special day, come and experience it for yourself."

The BTR Liverpool Santa Dash is an accessible event open to everyone, from those running purely for fun to groups of fundraisers.

Each year Santas walk, jog, or run alongside wheelchair participants, families, groups of friends or colleagues; even tiny Santas in prams and even 4 legged furry Santas.

The event acts as a platform for community groups, businesses, and charities to fundraise independently while taking part.

This year's event starts at 9.30am, from Pier Head Liverpool. The 5K route takes Santas along The Strand and into Grade I Listed Royal Albert Dock Liverpool, through the City Centre, before heading to the grandstand finish line at Liverpool Town Hall, complete with 'real' snow and festive characters.

The Mini Dash is for youngsters aged 12 and under. It starts at approximately 11am, in Castle Street, once all Santas in the main Dash have completed the course. The youngsters follow a similar City Centre route before crossing the finish line outside Liverpool Town Hall.

The entry fee covers all costs to organise and deliver the event including:- road closures, safety measures, Santa suits, medals, goody bags, and entertainment.

For full details and online entry visit:- BTRLiverpool.Com.

Over 50's in Sefton can now get their Autumn Booster

WITH winter illnesses and cold weather on the way, healthcare leaders in Sefton are inviting all those over 50 years of age to get protected this winter by getting their Covid19 Autumn Booster Vaccine as well as their annual flu jab.

From Saturday, 15 October 2022, the Autumn Booster rollout expanded to include all over 50's, as well as those previously eligible for the jab including frontline health and social care workers, care home and housebound residents, anyone who is pregnant, carers aged 16 or over, and those aged 5 and over who have a weakened immune system or who live with someone at high risk from Covid19.

Anyone now eligible can have their Autumn Booster if it's been at least 3 months since their previous Covid19 Vaccine dose. For anyone who has missed their 1st or second dose of the Covid19 Vaccine, the offer to get these jabs is still available through the NHS national booking system.

Jan Leonard, Primary Care lead for Sefton at NHS Cheshire and Merseyside, said:- "As with previous vaccination rollouts, the NHS is focusing on delivering the jabs to those most at risk first, to get them up to date protection ahead of the winter period and to save lives. Covid19 is still very much with us in Sefton and the protection we get from the Vaccines needs to be topped up to keep us safe from serious illness, so it's just as important to get your Autumn Booster when eligible, as it is to get any other doses of the Vaccine you may have missed."

Those eligible for the Autumn Booster are also likely to be eligible for a flu vaccination. The 2 jabs may need to be booked separately, but it's safe to get both vaccinations at the same time.

Margaret Jones, Director of Public Health, at Sefton Council, said:- "The best time to get your flu jab is now, before flu starts to spread in the winter months. The flu vaccination is the best way to stop you getting the virus in the 1st place, and if you do catch it, the Vaccine can protect you from getting seriously ill. Winter viruses are already circulating locally and, if unprotected, you could become seriously ill if you catch flu and Covid19 at the same time, so if you're eligible for both Vaccines then don't hesitate to get booked in."



To book a Covid19 Autumn Booster, anyone eligible can book an appointment at a vaccination centre or participating Pharmacy in Sefton, or find a walk in vaccination site nearby, by visiting the NHS website.

The flu jab can be given at GP surgeries and participating Pharmacies. To book a flu jab through a participating Pharmacy in Sefton, visit the NHS website.

Anyone who has a Covid19 infection or who is showing symptoms of the virus should wait until their symptoms are better before getting their jabs. They should ideally wait:-

►     4 weeks (28 days) if you are aged 18 or over.

►     12 weeks (84 days) if you or your child are aged 5 to 17.

►     4 weeks (28 days) if you or your child are aged 5 to 17 and at high risk from Covid19, or live with someone who has a weakened immune system.