THE final countdown to the Santathon has begun as 500 santas prepare to hit the streets of Worcester this Sunday.

Those who take part all dress up as Father Christmas and can run, jog, walk or stroll to raise funds for Worcester-based charity Leukaemia CARE.

The event begins at Worcester Football Club at St George’s Lane in Barbourne, Worcester, at 11am and also ends at the club.

A Christmas fair will be set up at the football ground with stalls offering a variety of goods for sale and there will be opportunities for children to have their photograph taken with Leukaemia CARE’s mascot, Bertie Bloodcell.

Fitness instructor Maria Karpasitis will be helping santas get going with a warm up routine before they set off.

Wyvern FM DJs Paul Kershaw and Paul Ellery have confirmed they will be donning their santa suits and running shoes for the day and bringing their madcap humour to the event.

Wyvern FM’s Thunder Crew will also be entertaining the crowds and sending live bulletins back to the station.

Ladies from Worcester City Womens Football Club are going along and a number of local businesses have also put forward teams of four to take part in the friendly Business Rivals challenge, including the Royal Bank of Scotland, Kendall Wadley, Thomas Guise and Higgs and Sons.

Leukaemia CARE’s fund-raising executive, Alice Watts said: “The excitement is mounting as the event draws near. We’re looking forward to our sixth Santathon in the city. We’re hoping it will be bigger and better than ever and hope to see lots of people there enjoying the fun and helping to raise money so that we can continue our work helping people diagnosed with a blood or lymphatic cancer as well as their families and carers who also benefit from the support we provide.”

Registration for the event closed on Wednesday.

Leukaemia CARE is also looking for volunteers to help out on the day. About 40 people are needed from 10am until 1pm to carry out a number of different tasks, including acting as marshalls to guide and encourage the santas along the route, manning road closures, handing out medals, and carrying out collections.

If you can spare a few hours to help call Melanie Taylor at Leukaemia CARE on 0845 521 3456.