Next Sunday, either put on your Santa suit and join in the Santa Run in Paphos, or get in your car and join the third Christmas Charity Rally, starting from the Cyprus Historic and Classic Motor Museum in Limassol.
At this time of year, red really is the new black and everyone can put it on just in time for this year’s Santa Run, organised by the Cyprus telecommunications provider Cyta. This is the fourth year that the Run is taking place, and it’s set to be ready, steady, go next Sunday at 11am in Paphos.
The annual run is part of a worldwide campaign, and people of all ages can take part just by wearing a Santa Claus outfit and making sure Santa gets a lot of exercise. This fun day out for the whole family – preferably with the colour red in there somewhere, of course – will start at Kato Paphos castle square and end at Kings Avenue Mall.
The programme will begin with music by the Paphos municipal band and a warm-up with Zumba and popular TV presenter Alexia Anastasiou. If you feel at any point that the run might be a bit too much for you, you will have elves, Cyta’s mascot Telis, and stilt-walkers there cheering you on.
Just to get you even more in the mood, and to congratulate you for completing the run – or in some cases walk – the Cyprus Symphony Orchestra will be at the finish line, performing some well-known Christmas songs.
The event aims to promote and support the neo-natal hearing screening programme by the Centre for Preventive Paediatrics, which aims to ensure that every child born on the island can benefit from a free hearing test regardless of their parents’ financial ability. The goal is to secure early detection and diagnosis of hearing loss, so that an early intervention can be made to maximise the potential acquisition of communication skills and ensure the proper development and socialisation of children.
Cyta also supports the campaign by donating €1 for every mobile or tablet bought in its shops during the month of December, with a maximum amount of €10,000.
Volunteers from the programme will be present to collect any donations.
Participation in the run is free, you just have to put on your Santa suit, be at the Kato Paphos caste square on Sunday, December 11 at 11am and off you go.
Meanwhile, if you have a classic car, or if you don’t and just love the feel of a rally, the third Christmas Charity Rally will be ready to go at 9am.
The aim of the rally is to support the effort of Limassol municipality to provide a Christmas meal to families in need. The organiser, The Cyprus Historic and Classic Vehicle Club (LIKOK), will donate the revenues of the rally to Limassol Social Grocery in order to buy food for the people who are in greatest need of it.
All types of vehicles, classic and modern, will be allowed to participate. The route will include eastern Limassol villages, with a stop at Arakapas village and finish at Farmakas. There, a driving test will take place, followed by a rich buffet lunch and an award ceremony with awards for all participants.
The participation fee for two-member crews is €55 for LIKOK members and €60 for non-members. For each additional person over 12 years the fee is €20, and €10 for children under 12.
Santa Run
A race where everyone is dressed as Santa to raise money for charity. December 11. Castle square, Paphos. 11am. Tel: 22-701185
Third Christmas Charity Rally
Rally to support the Limassol municipality’s efforts to provide Christmas meals to needy families. December 11. Cyprus Historic and Classic Motor Museum, 15 Dimitri Papanikoli Street, Ypsonas, Limassol. 9am-7pm. €55-60 for two-member crew. Tel: 70-009000
