A SANTA run will go ahead next year in Launceston, with a former mayor determined to organise the event if the town does not make the Children’s Hospice South West’s list.

The ‘Santas on the Run’ event had been due to take place in Launceston, in aid of Children’s Hospice South West (CHSW), on Sunday, December 13.

CHSW cancelled the event. A spokesperson at the time said: “It’s not been an easy decision to make but unfortunately, due to unforeseen circumstances beyond our control, the Launceston Santas on the Run event has been cancelled. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.”

The event in the town last year saw more than 200 jolly Santas take part in the festive fun run, which started from the town hall and took everyone on a 2k circular route, finishing by the Castle grounds.

Former mayor Dave Gordon, from Launceston, who has been a race organiser for more than 30 years, organising races from fun runs to the Launceston half marathon, has told the Post there will be a Santa run in 2016.

He said: “It was very disappointing for many people to hear that Children’s Hospice South West will not be coming to Launceston this year for the Santas on the Run event, an event Launceston has enjoyed for the last two years.

“Many local people as well as families from around our surrounding villages have taken part in this wonderful event over the last two years, and the news that it is not taking place in 2015, has left many people very disappointed.

“But having given this some thought since hearing that news, I can say if the Children’s Hospice South West do not include Launceston in 2016, I will organise the event next December, and have already made some preliminary enquiries.”

Mr Gordon said he would be making contact with CHSW in the spring, when it is hoped an event date will be set for 2016.

He added: “It was a wonderful sight to see so many Santas running and walking around our streets, at the same time as raising money for charity. Details such as the route and date, etc, will be sorted over the coming months, but I can say the event will take place in 2016, organised either by Children’s Hospice South West or me.”

Sarah Stott, senior fundraiser for Children’s Hospice South West, told the Post: “Due to unforeseen circumstances, it is with regret that the Children’s Hospice South West Santas on the Run event will not be taking place in Launceston, this year.

“We appreciate this is hugely disappointing for some people, and we would like to apologise for this. We would like to invite supporters to join us at the Eden Project on Sunday 6th December for a truly magical experience.

“We will be taking consideration of the locations of all of our Santa runs across the region in 2016 and we will be in touch with key stakeholders in the new year.

“May I take this opportunity to wish the people of Launceston a very Merry Christmas and thank them for their continued support and understanding.”

The charity’s Santas on the Run events will take place in Taunton on November 28, Bideford on December 6, Eden Project also on December 6, and in Bristol on December 13.