THREE festive friends have raised more than £2,000 for charity by getting into the Christmas spirit and running along Thorpe Bay seafront in comical fancy dress costumes.
Abby Tulino, Kay Warne and Samantha Johnson dressed as Santa, an elf and a Christmas tree as they looked to secure valuable funds for Target Ovarian Cancer.
The fundraiser came after Abby, 31, sadly lost her mum to ovarian cancer four years ago on Christmas Day.
Abby normally competes in the Big Santa Run every year but, due to the coronavirus pandemic forcing the annual event to be cancelled, she found another way to raise funds in her mum’s memory.
Tor Hayward cheered Abby on as her friends brought some Christmas cheer to the coastline.
She said: “Abby is a good friend of mine and she, along with two of her friends, wanted to raise money.
“I think they spread some Christmas cheer by running in their crazy outfits along the seafront.
“It was really good to watch and they raised lots of money, which is brilliant.
“With everything going on in the world, it was great to see them running along and making everyone smile.
“Everyone was tooting their car horns and waving and it spread some Christmas joy.”
Abby, Kay and Samantha’s exploits has seen them raise a whopping £2,134 for Target Ovarian Cancer.
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Tor admits the figure has blown the trio, who hail from Canewdon, away.
She added: “Abby was hoping to raise a couple of hundred pounds at the start and then it kept going up.
“They’re over the moon with the amount they have raised and, ever since her mum sadly passed away from ovarian cancer, Abby tries to compete in a run every year.
“With the Big Santa Run cancelled, they decided to go out themselves and go a bit crazier with their costumes while raising money.”
The trio enjoyed the challenge of running along a rainy Thorpe Bay seafront dressed as Santa, an elf and a Christmas tree.
Tor admitted: “They loved it. I think they found it quite hard but it was enjoyable.
“Abby’s recently had a baby so she didn’t have much time to train and I think they found it quite difficult running in the outfits.
“But they were pleased knowing they were raising a really good amount of money for an amazing charity.
“I think what they have done is amazing, especially with everything that’s going on this year.
“Everyone is so proud of them and Abby for taking on the challenge.”
To donate, visit justgiving.com/fundraising/abby-tulino1.
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