A look at Blackpool Santa Dash and Fairhaven Lake Santa Paddle in quirky Christmas TV show

As over 1,700 running Santas took over the prom, Shots! TV spoke to some who were taking part - including the family of Mabel Gregson, a little girl with a rare illness who is the face of this years' campaign for Brian House Childrens' Hospice.

In a 30 minute TV show, Cheryl, Chris, Maisie and Mabel Gregson from Cleveleys explain that the festive run is a ‘fantastic way to raise money’ for the charity that has helped her family so much since the shock diagnosis in 2023. Cheryl says: “Since Mabel is the face of this years Santa Dash I thought we’d give it a go. I think we’ll do it every year coming, because it’s just amazing.”

Last summer, Mabel was diagnosed with a very rare neurodegenerative disorder called Batten Disease, which causes seizures, blindness, speech delays, and eventually childhood dementia. But Cheryl says the support she’s received at the hospice has made a huge difference. “There’s a misconception that a hospice is somewhere people go to die, but it’s a place where she goes to live. They take her on trips out, and do all kinds of activities with her and they are such a big help to us.”

The 3km running event raised £38,000 for Brian House Children's Hospice. The event sees participants of all ages run, walk or jog down Blackpool’s promenade from Sandcastle Waterpark to the Manchester Pub and back.

The Christmas Special episode of Unconventional Brits also includes a visit to the Santa Paddle, where a smaller group of Santas raced on Fairhaven Lake, raising money for the Lytham St Annes RNLI.

Unconventional Brits Christmas Special

Watch more of the quirky and inventive ways Brits have been getting in the festive spirit - including a car decorated in fairy lights and a woman with a 100 year old Christmas tree - in the Unconventional Brits Christmas Special https://www.shotstv.com/watch/vod/52721394/unconventional-brits-episode-20-christmas-special