More than 300 men, women, children and dogs dressed up as Father Christmas yesterday to take part in a charity Santa Dash.

The Santas ran or walked three miles around Harrow to raise money for St Luke’s Hospice in Kenton.

They started at Claremont High School in Claremont Avenue, and did two loops of Kenton Road, Woodcock Hill and Shaftsbury Avenue.

At the end, each competitor received a drink, a mince pie and a medal.

Jared Richard, 11, has just started cross country club at Haberdashers School and was the first boy to finish, said: “It’s much harder to run in a Santa suit.”

The first two men to complete the Santa Dash were both PE teachers: Stuart Amblin, head of PE at Claremont High School, and Shane Davey, head of PE at Salvatorian College.

Mr Davey said: “It’s the third year that the school has been involved and we usually get a good crowd.

“It’s good fun and great to support a local charity like St Luke’s."

Mr Amblin added: "St Luke’s is a very special charity, and Claremont has a good relationship with the hospice.

“The pupils have learned about the work of the hospice through assemblies and visits and have taken part in a number of fundraising events. 

“A couple of people close to me have cancer and I wanted to do something to raise money for the hospice.”

The Santa Dash is expected to raise more than £10,000.