COUNTY cricketers swapped their bats for Santa suits and big white beards to promote the Worcester Santathon.

Players from Worcestershire County Cricket Club recently got into the festive spirit and warmed up with the Leukaemia Care mascot, Bertie.

The training session held at the County Ground in Worcester last week involved Vice Captain Daryl Mitchell, with Chris Russell, Jack Shantry, Richard Jones, Chris Whelan all dressed as Santa, and Ben Smith as Bertie, Leukaemia CARE’s mascot.

The players are among many sports teams from around the Midlands encouraging everyone to get into training for this year’s Santathon to be held in Worcester and Evesham on Sunday, December 6 at 11am.

Melinda Cooksey, Worcestershire County Cricket Club’s PR and Communications Executive, said: “Leukaemia CARE’s Santathon is a great initiative.

“They do such a good job helping patients, carers and their families who have been diagnosed with leukaemia, lymphoma, myloma or an allied blood disorder.

“It’s great to give something back. It’s a fun event that raises lots of money for the charity.’’ The Santathon course will start and finish at Worcester City Football Club and wind its way around 5km of north Worcester’s roads.

This is the seventh year the Santathon has been held in Worcester.

It’s also happening at Evesham High School on the same day, giving more people the chance to have a festive fund-raising funday. Nick Martin, Leukaemia CARE spokesman said: “The players taking part really help the charity raise the profile of the event.

“The Santathon is fun for all the community with hundreds of Santas getting around the course and raising money to help fund Leukaemia CARE.”

Last year, the events around the county raised thousands of pounds in sponsorship money for Leukaemia CARE – a figure which goes a long way towards helping the charity provide vital support, particularly through its unique and dedicated 24-hour freephone CARE Line.

Registration and sponsorship forms are available from Leukaemia CARE or from Worcester City Football Club.

Alternatively, you can download them from the charity’s website at xmasfunrun.co.uk or call the Fund-raising Line on 0845 521 3456.