Del Hickey A group of Santas, all wearing the classic red and white suits, ride on decorated motorbikes down a street as onlookers watch. — Thousands of Santas were spotted over the weekend

Sarah Turnnidge,West of England ,

Rhiannon Ynell,Saltfordand

Rakhee Gogna,Cirencester

Thousands of Santas have taken over the West Country this weekend to raise money for local charities.

From hundreds of bikers dressed in the classic red and white suit motoring through Bristol to fun runs in Saltford, Cirencester and Stroud, the Christmas spirit has been on display.

The events have become a fixture of the festive calendar across the region, raising thousands of pounds for community organisations – even in the pouring rain.

Andrea Hawkins, organiser of the Saltford Santa Dash on Sunday which welcomed 750 runners, said the event had been “amazing” with “fabulous support” from the community.

Hundreds of runners take part in the Saltford Santa Dash every year

Hundreds of people dressed up in Santa outfits at the start line of the run. It is a very grey day, and people are holding up their phones to take pictures at the start line. — Hundreds of runners take part in the Saltford Santa Dash every year

Each year the run raises funds for two children’s charity, with donations in 2025 going to Mencap and Cardiac Risk in the Young, in honour of Jack Boulton who died aged just 17 in 2009 after collapsing during football training in Saltford.

His mother June Boulton, who attended the dash, described the event as “just wonderful”, adding: “It’s such a lovely atmosphere, everyone’s in the right spirit even though it’s raining no one’s going home, they’re really enjoying it.”

Cirencester town crier John Lawrence rang the bell to officially begin the yearly run

A man dressed as Father Christmas stands with the town crier, who wears a red and white ceremonial uniform with a green festive waistcoat underneath. Both are smiling at the camera. — Cirencester town crier John Lawrence rang the bell to officially begin the yearly run

Over at the Abbey Grounds in Cirencester, dozens more Santas took part in another run to raise money for the Churn Project, which helps people experiencing isolation and poor mental health in the local community.

Now in its third year, participants can either take on the full five kilometre route or a one kilometre route for younger families.

“Next to Christmas this is the best thing to happen in Cirencester,” said town crier John Lawrence, who set runners off at the starting line.

Tens of thousands of pounds have been raised over the history of the ride

Del Hickey A group of people all dressed as Santa ride together on motorbikes down a road as part of the charity event. All the bikes are also decorated with tinsel. — Tens of thousands of pounds have been raised over the history of the ride

In Bristol the festivities took on a slightly louder note, with hundreds of bikers riding through the city centre on Saturday to raise money for Children’s Hospice South West.

It is the 24th year the event has run, and has become a huge spectacle, with a select number of Santas visiting the hospice itself to visit children in the run up to Christmas.

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