TWO Christmas themed cars will join the festive fun at this year’s Santas on the Run fundraiser.
The cars and their owners will join the Children’s Hospice South West (CHSW) Santas on the Run event at Charlton Farm on December 8.
The event will see hundreds of people take part in a 2k run around the stunning grounds of the Wraxall site, all dressed in festive fancy dress.
Fun loving Tracie Skinner, from Cannington, will be taking her special ‘festive Fiat’ back on the road this Christmas to raise money for the hospice.
She was given the bright red 1970 Fiat 500 when she was just 16 – before she had even passed her driving test.
Tracie, dressed herself in festive garb, will be getting behind the wheel of her ‘Santa Car’ this December.
“I love Christmas and always go overboard on decorating my house for the festive season,” said Tracie.
“One day I looked at the Fiat and thought, I wonder if I could fit a Santa hat on the top.”
Tracie worked with mum Sue to find the furry red and white fabric and set about designing a Santa hat for the car.
“It was quite a job as we had to design it and make sure we could make it fit on the roof securely and safely,” said Tracie.
Tracie has raised thousands of pounds for charity with her Festive Fiat over the years.
This year money collected via the Festive Fiat Just Giving Page will go to Children’s Hospice South West.
Tracie will be joined by friend Robin Bendall and his ‘Reindeer Car’, a 1979 MG Midget Frogeye Sprite Replica, the original Frogeye being made in 1958.
Each year Robin, who has owned the car since 2016, attaches a pair of antlers to the car’s roll bar to bring some cheer on the roads at Christmas.
“We put a red nose on the front of the car and because of the design, it looks like it’s smiling,” said Robin.
“And because it’s a convertible we were able to attach the antlers to a board and fix them to the car.”
CHSW Events Fundraiser Hollie Thorogood said: “We’re so delighted to have the Festive Fiat and Reindeer Frog join us at our Santa event, and if we can’t have Santa and Rudolph join us, this is the next best thing.”
The Santas on the Run event is open to all the family and well-behaved dogs, and the 2k run is open to all abilities, from avid runners to those who prefer a leisurely walk.
Santas on the Run isn’t a timed race but all those taking part will be presented with a finishers medal.
Runners are asked to raise £25 as an individual in sponsorship or £70 as a family.
Tickets are on sale until midday on December 8 and include 50 per cent off the price of entry to Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm, Wraxall, on the weekend of the event.