A major developer has pledged its support for a hospice's Christmas fundraiser.

Persimmon Homes Anglia has sponsored St Elizabeth East Coast Hospice’s annual Santa Dash.

Hundreds of runners will gather on Gorleston promenade on December 8 for the festive fun run, dressed in red Santa hats.

Persimmon Homes has contributed £1,000 towards organising the event, allowing more of the money raised to go directly to the hospice.

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The charity provides care for more than 4,000 patients and their families each year across East and Mid Suffolk, Great Yarmouth, and Waveney.

Sarah Stafford, corporate and sponsorship fundraiser for the charity, accepted a cheque from Persimmon Anglia's sales director Jorden Knell, and head of planning Debi Sherman.

She said: “We are grateful to Persimmon Homes Anglia for sponsoring our Santa Dash this year and look forward to welcoming their runners to Gorleston Promenade.

“This is an important event for us, boosting funds ahead of the Christmas period and also raising awareness of the hospice and the services we provide.”

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Jorden Knell, sales director at Persimmon Anglia, said: “At Persimmon Homes Anglia we run the Community Champions scheme to support good causes in the areas in which we are building and to create a lasting legacy within the community.

“It is a pleasure to sponsor such an important event here in the Great Yarmouth area and to know that we are helping the hospice raise money to support families when they need it most.”

Councillor Carl Smith, leader of Great Yarmouth Borough Council, attended the cheque presentation.

He said: “I would like to thank Persimmon for supporting St Elizabeth East Coast Hospice and helping them host this popular annual event for the community.

“Persimmon have a great history here in Great Yarmouth, building homes for local people.

"They also have a legacy of supporting charities and organisations through their Community Champions scheme.”