IT MAY just be the start of autumn but a Welsh heart charity is asking you to start getting festive as it recently announced its popular Santa and Elf Dash is coming to Carmarthen for the first time.
The 5k event, run by Welsh Hearts/ Calonnau Cymru, has run for three years in Cardiff and has become a firm favourite with families and supporters of the charity, which aims to provide better access to lifesaving defibrillators and heart screening across Wales.
Now the event is coming to Carmarthen for the first time, taking place at Carmarthen Town Park on Sunday, December 11 at 10am supported by joint sponsors LHP Accountants and Lewis Lewis and Co. solicitors.
Participants are asked to dress festively for the event with hundreds of Santas, Mrs Clauses and elves expected, all vying for the best dressed prize. Those taking part can choose whether to run, jog or walk and it is open to all ages.
Welsh Hearts is dedicated to increasing the number of defibrillators available to the public. Every year, there are 8,000 sudden cardiac arrests outside of hospitals in Wales, with a survival rate of just 3%. Quick use of a heart-starting defibrillator device increases the survival rate to 50%.
The charity, founded in 2013, also funds heart screening sessions across Wales to help prevent deaths from undiagnosed heart conditions. Every year, thousands of people die from undiagnosed heart problems, including over 600 young people in Wales.
Meinir Lewis, Fundraising Manager for Mid and West Wales with Welsh Hearts, said: “We are delighted to bring our Santa and Elf Dash to Carmarthen for the first time! Last year, over 1,000 Santas and elves took part in our Cardiff dash. It’s a really fun and family-focused event designed to get everyone in the Christmas spirit while raising vital funds to help us continue our work. There’s always a fantastic atmosphere at the dash so get your Santa hat or elf ears ready and sign up today.
“Every penny we raise is spent here in Wales to promoting healthy hearts. We have already supplied over 400 defibrillators across Wales to help people save lives. They are easy to use and require no training so any member of the public can use one on someone in cardiac arrest. Every second really does count during a cardiac arrest so these devices are truly lifesaving.”
Tickets for the Carmarthen Santa and Elf Dash 2016 are available now at £8 for adults and £5 for under 16’s. This booking fee includes a T shirt, water and certificate.
To book a place, visit www.welshhearts.org/santa.
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