Last years Marlow's Santas fun run raised over £47,000 in Marlow as the money begins to be distributed to charities.

Thames Valley Air Ambulance (TVAA) and Young Minds will share nearly £7,000 from entry fees.

TVAA also raised a four figure sum through sponsors shops as as a team as entered the run.

This year organisers have introduced a £5000 charity pool through the support of the Shanly Foundation, Blaser Mills Law, Heart of Bucks Foundation and Community Impact Bucks.

The money has now been shared by 11 charities where teams of supporters entered and met the award criteria.

Together with their own team sponsorship efforts charities have collectively received in excess of £22,000 as a result of the event.

The charities benefitting were Macmillan Cancer Support, Vales House Dementia Care, War Child, Thames Valley Air Ambulance, Marlow Opportunity Playgroup, Bookmark, MS Society, Lighthouse Central, 11th High Wycombe Scouts, and the Heart of Bucks Foundation.

Florence Cox, aged 8, and her dad entered the Fun Run because she wanted to raise money for a good cause.

Florence chose War Child - which seeks to help children experiencing the horrors of being trapped in war torn countries.

With the support of friends, family and local residents, Florence herself raised more than £1200 along with the fun run charity pool adding around £500 to that amont.

James Cox, Florence’s dad, said: "This is a fantastic event for both families and charities. Florence wanted to enter and help others - and we are so proud of what she achieved.

"We had great fun at the same time as managing to do something for those a little less fortunate than ourselves.”

Rebecca Hatch organised teams raising funds for the High Wycombe 11th Scout Group.

The teams raised over £1500 which the Fun Run Charity Pool was able to top up to around £2000.

Rebecca said: "Covid 19 has limited what we can do to raise funds for the Scout Group - so this was a fantastic opportunity.

"We are delighted to have raised so much - and of course the teams had great fun doing it.

"The idea of the Charity Pool really made a difference and to receive the extra money was a bit of a bonus.

"The Scout Group can do a lot with £2000!"

Additional funds allow the Rotary Clubs of Marlow to distribute almost £18,000 more of the Santas Fun Run proceeds to mainly local good causes over the coming months.

John Prout, chair of the Marlow Santa’s fun run organising committee, said “We are absolutely delighted with the amount of money raised – and yet again the event has been a huge success.

"Every year we try to add a new element, and in 2021 the creation of the £5000 Charity Pool really did make a big difference.

"Every year this event should register locally as a key opportunity for charities – and their supporters – to raise additional funds.

"We will try very hard to make the 2022 just as much fun, and in particular will seek to make the Charity Pool even more attractive.

"The local Rotary Clubs are pretty good at raising money – our task now is to transfer this money to the deserving charities who are the real experts in their field.”

The date for the 2022 event is confirmed as December 4 with the website opening for entries September 1.

John added: “The event is now a key part of the local calendar, and really does seem to retain its appeal despite all that Covid can throw at it.

"Again a big thanks to all concerned.”