Hyde gears up for charity Santa Dash

This Saturday, the streets of Hyde will ring with laughter, footsteps and Christmas spirit as the community comes together for the annual Santa Dash 5K Run and 2K Walk, in aid of the charity Purple Heart Wishes.

The event, organised in partnership with local estate agents EweMove, will take place on Saturday 13th December.

Registration begins at 10:40 am at EweMove’s offices, located at 179 Market Street, Hyde (SK14 1HF). Participants will collect their run or walk numbers, complete safety information and be handed a festive purple Santa hat courtesy of Purple Heart Wishes. Those travelling by car are asked to use nearby street parking or the car park behind Hyde Clarendon Square Shopping Centre, around a 10-minute walk from Market Street.

At 10:45am, all participants will walk together to the start area, where a brief safety talk and warm-up will take place before the run or walk begins. Marshals will be on hand throughout the course to guide and cheer on entrants, whether they’re pushing their pace in the 5K run or enjoying a relaxed 2K stroll.

But this isn’t just about festive fun and fresh air - at its heart, the Santa Dash is about kindness, compassion and making a difference. The beneficiary of this year’s dash, Purple Heart Wishes, is a UK-based charity dedicated to granting “wishes” for adults diagnosed with life-limiting or terminal illnesses, helping them create cherished memories with friends and family when it matters most. 

Purple Heart Wishes was founded in memory of a young woman named Lyndsey, whose battle with a terminal brain tumour inspired a mission that now reaches across the UK. 

Though the charity helps adults aged between 18 and 55, the scope of its support is broad. Recipients might receive anything from a day out, like a trip to theme parks or a visit to a match, to weekend breaks, family outings, surprise gifts or intimate moments with loved ones. 

Purple Heart Wishes relies entirely on donations, fundraising activities, volunteers and community events like the Santa Dash to continue granting wishes. 

For the charity, every contribution counts: as little as £50 can help fund travel or a family meal, while £500 might cover a full wish experience, perhaps a family day out with an overnight stay. 

Volunteers support the charity in many ways, from helping at major events to working stalls at matchdays or concerts, offering a friendly face and vital support to those behind the scenes. 

Through their work, Purple Heart Wishes aims to offer comfort, dignity, joy and hope, helping people facing unimaginably difficult circumstances to find moments of happiness, normality and connection. 

For residents of Hyde and the wider Tameside area, the Santa Dash offers more than a chance to get active, it’s an opportunity to show kindness, solidarity and community spirit during the festive season.

Whether you’re a seasoned runner, a casual walker, a family with young children in tow, or simply someone who wants to give something back, the event welcomes all.

By lacing up on 13th December, participants won’t just be raising funds, they’ll be giving someone living with a terminal illness a chance to make lasting memories with their loved ones.

If you’d like to take part, or support the event in any way, head to the EweMove offices on Market Street from 10:40am.