Santa runners raised thousands of pounds for sick children and terminally ill patients yesterday.

Around 400 fundraisers took part in a 5km fun run in Dagenham for St Francis Hospice and Haven House Children’s Hospice.

Barking and Dagenham Mayor Tony Ramsay took part in the annual Santathon with his son Ben.

He said: “It was absolutely fantastic. We were blessed with really good weather with record numbers participating raising money for St Francis Hospice and Haven House, two very important charities which have an enormous impact on families in Barking and Dagenham and Havering.

“I ran personally with my son Ben Ramsay. I was very pleased to take part in such an important event.”

The Dagenham Santathon was postponed last Christmas because of heavy snowfalls but was eventually held in March 2012.

Around �10,000 was raised for St Francis Hospice and another charity called Leukaemia CARE this spring.

It is hoped more funding will be raised this year for the children’s home in Woodford Green and the hospice in Havering.

The fun run started and finished at Dagenham and Redbridge FC in Victoria Road.

Paul Gwinn, of the football club, added: “This was the best year ever.”