A family whose son was cared for by Essex’s only children’s hospice will be raising money this Christmas for the charity which cared for him.

Carly Milsom and Matt Marshall, as well as their sons Freddie, 11, Kennie, eight and three-year-old Ernie, will take part in Havens Hospices annual Run Santa Run event, a 5k fun run and 2.5k Reindeer Run.

The event will raise money for Havens Hospices which incorporates Fair Havens Hospice for adults and Little Havens Hospice for children.

Matt and Carly, from Laindon, will be raising money for Little Havens which cared for their son Reggie before he died in September 2013 aged just four months.

Reggie was diagnosed in July 2013 with Spinal Muscular Atrophy, and the family were told it was unlikely he would reach his first birthday.

Reggie died peacefully at Little Havens Hospice where he stayed until his funeral.

The family have since raised more than £7,500 by holding a fundraising night every year in Reggie’s memory as well as taking part in the Run Santa Run event before.

Carly said: “We will forever hold Little Havens close to our hearts, and really wanted the opportunity to give something back.

“One of the most special things that Little Havens did for us was let us be a family and we were able to make some beautiful memories with Reggie at the hospice.

“So this year in celebration of that we wanted to take part in Run Santa Run as a family and make memories together while raising money for the charity that made such a difference to ours and Reggie’s life.”

The event will take place at Wat Tyler Country Park in Basildon. All adults taking part will receive a Santa outfit and children will get reindeer antlers and a flashing red nose.

There will also be lots of festive activities for all the family including a Santa’s Grotto, toy sale and much more.

Cathryn Wood, Events Fundraiser for Havens Hospices, added: “Each week Havens Hospices must raise £100,000 to provide respite, manage pain and give end of life care to children and adults with life-limiting conditions at our hospices and in the local community and this is only possible thanks to our supporters, like Carly and her family, who join us at our events.”

It will take place on December 3. Visit havenshospices.org.uk/santarun or 01702 220337.