AROUND 150 people ‘did their own thing’ this year for the annual Santa fun run which due to restrictions was forced to be cancelled in its regular format.

Organised by The Skipton Craven Rotary, the Great Santa Virtual Fun Run was a slightly different model, but still was great fun for those involved.

Rotarian Colin Hargreaves, chairman of the organising committee said: “We were naturally disappointed to have to cancel this year’s event especially given that 2020 would have been the 10th year that Skipton Craven Rotary had organised the fun run.

“We decided that, to keep the event in peoples’ minds, we would go ‘virtual’ and encourage the people of Craven to complete a 5k course in whatever way they wished, in aid of our designated charity Sue Ryder Manorlands Hospice, and other charities chosen by the participants.

“It will be a month or so before we know exactly how much money has been raised, but well done to the people of Craven who stepped up to the challenge.”

Participants paid £15 per entry for over 16s and each was able to seek sponsorship.

In the end, 149 people took up the challenge, many of them in family groups, running, walking and cycling in cold and rainy conditions.

Some joined forces to raise funds for their chosen charity. The Mayor of Skipton, Councillor Karen McIntyre, together with the Leader of Skipton Town Council, Councillor Alan Hickman and Councillors Andy Solloway and Tony Barrett opted to raise money for Skipton Step into Action, a team of volunteers who give their time willingly to help and support vulnerable people in the community.

Given the events of this year the two Rotary Clubs of Skipton have worked together to help children and families this Christmas.

They made donations to Brooklands Community School, Carers Resource and SSIA Skipton Elves so that special children in the Skipton Craven area receive a gift this Christmas.