Santa Dash is back with a brand-new Silver Jubilee Bridge route
Hundreds of Santas will take over the Silver Jubilee Bridge on Sunday 13 December as Halton Haven Hospice’s much-loved Santa Dash returns to raise vital funds for local hospice care.
This year’s new 3k route starts and finishes at West Bank Bears Rugby League Football Club, Hutchinson Street, Widnes, WA8 0PZ, taking participants across the bridge twice. Organisers are aiming for the biggest Santa Dash yet — a joyful day that brings the community together while backing the hospice’s essential work.
Halton Haven Hospice and event sponsor merseyflow are calling on people of all ages to pull on a Santa suit, join the fun and help fund the comfort, dignity and specialist end-of-life care the hospice provides across the community.
It marks the fifth year merseyflow has partnered with Halton Haven Hospice for the Santa Dash, with a team of employees once again joining the festive fun run.
Karen Rowe, Fundraising Manager at Halton Haven Hospice, said: “The Santa Dash is one of the highlights of our festive calendar. Every person who takes part helps us care for local people and families when they need it most. Together, we can make a real difference in Halton — and we can’t wait to welcome everyone for another unforgettable day of festive fun and community spirit, the new route will make the event even more special”.
Helen Williams, Marketing Manager for merseyflow, said: “We’re thrilled to support the Santa Dash again and can’t wait to see the bridge packed with Santas. Halton Haven Hospice makes an incredible difference across Halton, and we’re proud to champion its vital work. Our team is ready to pull on their Santa suits and join the festivities.”
Entry fees are £20 for adults and £10 for children aged 16 and under. Children under 5 can take part free of charge, although a Santa suit is not included. Dogs are welcome to join the event for £4, and family tickets are available for £50.
All paid registrations include a Santa suit, finisher’s medal, and mince pie. Children under 5 are encouraged to come dressed in their own festive fancy dress costume.
Ready to dash? Sign up now at www.haltonhaven.org.uk/the-events/santa-dash/ Or if you just wish to make a donation go to: www.haltonhaven.org.uk/get-involved/donate/
Registration and sponsorship forms can also be picked up from Halton Haven Hospice reception or the Halton Haven Shop on Queens Avenue, Widnes.
Parking is available at West Bank Bears Rugby League Football Club, for full details and FAQs see the event page: www.haltonhaven.org.uk/the-events/santa-dash/
Cracking success as Merseylink and Merseyflow join forces to provide Easter eggs for less fortunate kids in Halton
Hundreds of less fortunate children around Halton will receive Easter treats thanks to the cracking success of an annual appeal hosted by Merseyflow and Merseylink.
Hundreds of Easter Eggs were collected by Merseyflow and Merseylink who kicked off the campaign by donating a whopping £1,000 worth of Easter eggs.
Members of the public, along with Merseyflow and Merseylink staff, generously donated hundreds of chocolate treats to the Merseyflow Walk-In Centre in Runcorn throughout February and March as part of the appeal, which has now closed.
The Easter eggs will be distributed to disadvantaged children from some of Halton’s most deprived areas via Halton Family Hubs.
Denise Caldwell, Halton Family Hubs said: “We’re always overwhelmed by the kindness and generosity of the community in Halton and I’d like to give special thanks to Merseyflow and Merseylink for continued support and kind donations. Every Easter egg donated will be very gratefully received.”
Liam Geoghegan, General Manager for Merseylink, said: “Continuing to support charities in the community such as Halton Family Hubs is very important to us, and we’re pleased to have been able to get involved to brighten up the Easter period for less fortunate children in the area.”
Helen Williams, Marketing Manager at Merseyflow, said: “We’re overwhelmed with the amount of donations we’ve received from the public and teams here at Merseyflow and Merseylink and can say that this year’s Easter Egg appeal has been the best one yet. We’re pleased to be able to support Halton Family Hubs and the great work they do for children and families here in Halton.”
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Easter egg appeal off to a cracking start thanks to Merseyflow and Merseylink
Merseyflow’s annual Easter egg appeal which is hoping to give an Easter treat to disadvantaged children in Halton has been kick-started with a donation of £1,000 worth of Easter eggs thanks to Merseyflow and Merseylink.
The Easter egg appeal has launched for 2026, and is open for donations from customers, staff, and members of the public to add to what will become a growing Easter egg pile at Merseyflow’s Walk-In Centre at Manor Park in Runcorn.
The Walk-In Centre will be accepting Easter egg donations from Wednesday 4 February until Monday 16 March at Howard Court, Manor Park, Runcorn, WA7 1SJ. It is open Mon – Fri 9am-7pm and Saturday, Sunday, and Bank holidays 9am-6pm.
The treats are being given to Halton Family Hubs in Runcorn and Widnes and will benefit hundreds of disadvantaged children from some of Halton’s most deprived areas.
Denise Caldwell, Early Help Officer with Halton Family Hubs said: “The response from the community in Halton to this kind of appeal is always fantastic and we’d like to thank Merseyflow and Merseylink for their generous contribution.”
Liam Geoghegan, General Manager for Merseylink, said: “We’re very pleased that we’re able to support the annual Easter egg appeal for another year, and would love to see more people getting involved to help support Halton Children’s Centres to continue its important work in the community.”
Helen Williams, Marketing Manager at Merseyflow, said: “We’d like to thank Merseylink and all of our staff and customers who have donated to the appeal so far. Supporting the local community in Halton is really important to us and we’re glad we could help kick-start the appeal again.
Halton communities can benefit in 2026 through Time Bank community initiative
Community organisations in Halton are being encouraged to sign up for the charitable Time Bank scheme led by Merseylink and Merseyflow for expert help during 2026.
The Time Bank initiative aims to assist key organisations, including schools, colleges, charities, and community groups, by allowing Halton communities to benefit from the skills and expertise of the Merseylink and Merseyflow teams.
This innovative local support scheme, developed as part of the Mersey Gateway Project, has run since 2015 and returns for another year following a highly successful 2025.
Last year’s scheme provided support to Halton Haven Hospice to improve its Memory Garden, which involved weeding, cleaning, and a fresh coat of paint for the hospice’s surrounding areas. The scheme also provided various landscaping maintenance support to Hallwood Primary School, St Gerard’s Primary School and Ormiston Bolingbrook Academy.
Community groups, charities, and voluntary organisations interested in applying for support from the Time Bank are requested to email info@merseylink.com for an application form.
A minimum of 30 days per year are committed through the Time Bank scheme, and assistance can include anything from regeneration activities, career advice, technical advice, general maintenance, painting, and litter picking, as well as any other suitable suggestions applicants can provide.
Karen Atherton, Merseylink Liaison Officer and Time Bank Lead said: “We’ve had an amazing response to our Time Bank initiative in the past, with incredible projects that truly benefit local charities and the Halton community. Our team is ready for 2026 and excited to explore new opportunities. We urge any organisation needing support to apply early and reach out to see how we can help.”
Jade Koo, Head of HR at Merseyflow, said: “We’re proud to support the work of amazing local charities through the Time Bank initiative. Getting involved in community challenges brings our team together and provides the opportunity to engage with other volunteers and local charities. We’re excited to see what new projects we will be giving time to in 2026.”
This years’ Time Bank is currently open for applications until Tuesday 31 March 2026. For more information, email info@merseylink.com.
