Boxing Day run postponed until 2021

The highly popular Boxing Day Run at Hindhead Common will take a break this year but promises to return in 2021. 

Local man Matt Dellar has organised the run for 22 years and during this time he has raised around £50,000 for Holy Cross Hospital in Haslemere. 

Commenting on his decision to postpone the event, he says: “Every year, several hundred people register to take part in the run. They love the fun and festive atmosphere and being able to run off their Christmas Day indulgences in the beautiful setting of Hindhead Common and the Devil’s Punch Bowl. 

“I looked at other ways to hold the event and sounded out some runners on the options but at the end of the day, there’s no substitute for the real thing. We’ll be back next year so that people can once again take part in an event that has become a Christmas tradition for many.”

The 2019 run raised a record £5,000 for Holy Cross Hospital. Dr Ross White, Chief Executive says: “The Friends of Holy Cross were thrilled to receive this cheque earlier this year. The money will be spent on making some improvements to our holiday cottage in Selsey, which is where patients and their families can go to spend some quality time together in a non-hospital setting.”

Dr White adds: “For more than two decades, Matt has been a wonderful supporter of Holy Cross. The money he has raised has gone towards items and projects that improve patients’ quality of life. I’d like to thank Matt and all the people who have supported the Boxing Day run over the years. We look forward to seeing you all again on 26 December 2021.”

Holy Cross Hospital is a specialist hospital for highly dependent patients who need individualised care due to neurological conditions following strokes, head injuries and other incidents.

Caption – The photo shows Boxing Day Run organiser Matt Dellar; Torquil Sligo-Young Chairman of the Friends of Holy Cross and Dr Ross White Chief Executive at Holy Cross brush up on their decorating skills. (NB — This photo was taken earlier in the year before social distancing measures were introduced.)