CHRISTMAS may be a fond memory for most people, but money from a festive fundraiser have just kept piling up for a Chester school.

Staff and students at Queen's Park High School in Handbridge have raised hundreds of pounds for two worthy local causes after their efforts in December's Santa Dash event, which wound its way through the city.

Sponsorship money has been rolling in since the fun run and over £450 has been raised, which will be split between the event's two chosen charities, the Hospice of the Good Shepherd in Backford and the Countess of Chester Hospital charity.

Kathy Kenney, community and events fundraiser at the Countess of Chester Hospital and Justin Caroe fundraiser at the Hospice of the Good Shepherd, were invited to Queen’s Park High School on Thursday, January 23 to be presented with a cheque for the sum of £460.

Chester Santa Dash is a popular annual fundraiser that encourages thousands of Santas to take to the streets of Chester and complete a 3.3km route of the city.

Each year this race coincides with the launch of Queen’s Park High School’s car park Christmas opening times and the school welcomes the opportunity to support the event by offering designated parking to all eager Dashers for just £3, with all proceeds donated to the charities.

Lisa Jones, QPHS PTA, said: “We were very busy with Santa Dashers in the car park and delighted to say that we raised £185 between 9am and 10am; a fantastic amount particularly as there were more road closures than usual due to Handbridge Christmas street market.”

This year, sixth form student and head boy Dan Kefford also set up a Just Giving page hoping to add to the total raised by the school.

He drummed up a team of staff and fellow peers to join him in a festive red outfit and participate in the dash.

The school’s team including Mr Johnson, Miss Hunter, Miss Perks and students Sarah Kefford, Dan Williams, Charlie Dixon, Ben Baker and Emily McDermott successfully finished the race despite a mid-race plight for Mr Johnson and his ‘not so elasticated’ Santa trousers.

They collected an incredible £275 in sponsorship.

Justin Caroe said: “A big thank you to Queen's Park High School for their continued support towards the Chester Santa Dash in aid of the Hospice of the Good Shepherd and the Countess Charity.

"We are so grateful that they allow our dashers to park in their car park and even more so that they make a donation back to the event from those participants who used the facilities.

"This was the ninth year of the Santa Dash with over 1,800 participants taking part in this festive event.

"If you were one of those dashers and still have yet to pay in your sponsorship from the event its not too late.

"Every penny makes a big difference to the success of the event and the two great local charities that benefit directly from this.”

Kathy Kenney added: “We all had a super day, the weather was bright and sunny, if a little cold, and Chester looked wonderful with so many Santas dashing through the city streets.

"Thank you to all who took part, helped marshal the event and a particular thank you to Virgin Money for sponsoring the event again.”