Liverpool, Merseyside, UK 1st December, 2013. Start line at the Liverpool Santa Dash starting at the Pier Head and attempting to break the Guinness World Record for the ‘Largest Santa Gathering’ which stands at a staggering 13,000 and also trying to raise to more than last years total of £5 million. Festive Fun Run is backing the ITV Text Santa Appeal this year to help raise funds for Age UK, Anthony Nolan, Carers UK, Marie Curie Cancer Care, Together for Short Lives and Whizz-Kidz. Credit: Mar Photographics/Alamy Live News
Liverpool can no longer subsidise a privately-run charity event because of the council's "funding needs," the mayor has said. Joe Anderson said organisers of the annual Santa Dash would now have to pay for the loss in parking charges. BTR said they are considering moving the 2015 event out of Liverpool after fees rose £11,000 in two years. Race organiser Alan Rothwell said the council had shown "no respect or regard for the work we have done in the city". About 10,000 runners and 12,000 spectators are expected at this year's festive charity run, which takes place on 7 December. The mayor said the Santa Dash was "a great event which Liverpool people have taken to their hearts" and which raised "thousands and thousands of pounds for charities". However, he said Liverpool "hosts many large events and we have to be fair and apply the same rules to BTR as we do to any others. "Previously we have been able to support events of this kind, but the council simply cannot subsidise a private company when we are trying to balance the funding needs of services like children's centres, adult social care and libraries."
Size: 3350px × 2597px
Location: Liverpool, Merseyside, UK
Photo credit: © MediaWorldImages / Alamy / Afripics
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