Hundreds of South Yorkshire Santas getting ready to ‘Chase the Pud’ all in the name of charity

But fear not as it is all part of an annual fundraiser called ‘Chase the Pud’ in aid of the British Heart Foundation.

Hundreds of people have already signed up to the event which starts at 11am in Tudor Square. Participants can run, jog or walk the one mile route as individuals or as a team.

Andrew Lambert is joining in the fun by taking part with colleagues from the National Emergency Services Museum at West Bar.

Andrew, a volunteer and community first responder with the Yorkshire Ambulance Service, is running the route with museum director Matt Wakefield and education coordinator Clara Taylor.

He said: “I decided to take part in Chase the Pud because I’ve had first-hand experience of going out to patients who have suffered a cardiac arrest.

“I want to raise awareness and funds for the British Heart Foundation because it’s so important for everyone to be able to do their best if someone has a life threatening cardiac arrest.

“Today, if you suffer a cardiac arrest out of hospital in the UK, you have less than a one in ten chance of surviving. Having someone close by who knows how to do CPR and having a public access defibrillator close to hand can make a lifesaving difference.

“Earlier this year I went out to a gentleman who had suffered a cardiac arrest and was able to bring him back. Although he sadly passed away in hospital four days later, I know I did my best and gave him the opportunity to spend precious time with his family.”

Museum staff have been holding free sessions to teach the public CPR since January as part of the BHF’s Nation of Lifesavers campaign.

Jo Strong, BHF volunteer and event organiser, said: “The Chase the Pud event is looking to be an incredible day out with hundreds of festive fundraisers coming together from across the region to join our fight for every heartbeat.”

n Big-hearted gym workers saddled up for a mammoth cycle ride - and managed to complete a huge distance of more than 1500 miles for charity.

Staff at Anytime Fitness in Sheffield teamed up with workers from Doncaster-based PR agency Bodhi Communications to ride 1547 miles on static exercise bikes in just seven days to raise £350 for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

This energetic effort at the Tenter Street gym at the end of November surpassed their ambitious target of 1540 miles - which is the same number of miles covered by the YAA helicopter every week.

Gym manager Claire Burrows, aged 28, said: “We are delighted with the commitment from the team. Everyone worked really hard towards the challenge.

“In an ideal world we would have loved to have raised more money for the charity but we are thankful for what we have raised and extremely proud of our achievements.”

Liam Grady, founder of Bodhi Communications, said: “This was a mammoth task in reality as all who took part all have full time jobs which require much commitment, so it was literally a case of any spare time, you jump straight on that bike. Without that commitment we wouldn’t have completed this challenge in the set time.

“I was extremely delighted with the input from the team members and I would like to thank everyone who kindly donated both financially and their time towards this fantastic charity.”

Paul Glover, owner of Doncaster-based Troy Ultimate Health, and Jonathan Streets, managing director of South Yorkshire letting agents Martin & Co, also jumped on a bike and helped the team.

n Businesses across South Yorkshire donned sparkly wigs - all in the name of the Teenage Cancer Trust.

Staff turned up to work wearing unique hair pieces as part of the annual Get Wiggy With It fundraiser.

Catherine Foster, regional fundraiser for the Teenage Cancer Trust, said: “The funds raised will go towards providing vital medical care from a specialist nurse for young people with cancer, as well as emotional and therapeutic support for their families and siblings.

“We’ll also be able to continue to give informative and empowering education talks about the signs and symptoms of cancer to thousands of secondary school pupils across the country.”