Brave Futures Snow Dash takes over Nowton Park, in Bury St Edmunds, and raises thousands

Festive charity fun took over a town park at the weekend as hundreds donned their best Christmas costumes for the Brave Futures Snow Dash.

Nearly £8,000 was raised for the organisation, which supports young survivors of sexual abuse, at the event on Sunday.

Participants had the choice of running a shorter 2.5 kilometre circuit, or doubling up and taking on the five kilometre route.

Individuals, families, and groups of friends all took part, and they were showered with snow from the start-line cannons as they set off.

Meanwhile, the course was lined with mischievous elves armed with snowballs to add to the fun and there was also a snow paint station.

Hannah Walker, fund-raising and marketing manager for Brave Futures, said: “It was a really great success for us, 400 people took part and the almost £8,000 in fundraising is fantastic.

“The smiles and happiness and buzz, it was just incredible. That’s now 400 more people who know where we are if they need us.

“The event was massive for us and will help us to continue to support children and young people in Bury St Edmunds as referrals continue to rise at a rapid rate.”

Hannah added there were some incredible costumes on the day, including one family who dressed in all matching pyjamas, while another had ‘almost a whole nativity scene’ with the dad as a Christmas superhero and one of the children dressed as the donkey.

The money raised will fund hundreds of sessions for survivors in Bury. Brave Futures gave its thanks to event sponsors Antistat for its support.