Energetic Elves hit the malls for Family Fun Run!

Christmas came early at intu Eldon Square as almost 1,000 eager elves descended on the shopping malls in the name of charity. Youngsters and their families arrived at the region’s top shopping centre two hours earlier than regular Sunday opening times, in order to take part in a unique 1km family fun run to raise funds for local children’s charities, The Children's Heart Unit Fund at the Freeman Hospital, The Sick Children’s Trust and Global’s Make Some Noise. Fun runners paid £10 to enter the race, which included an elf hat and t-shirt, a certificate from Santa and a medal. Santa's little helpers also showed their generosity by bringing in donations of Christmas presents which will be distributed to the regions children's wards and disadvantaged children in the North East. At intu Eldon Square, Rachel Khalil from Heaton attended the run with her daughter Amber, 6. Rachel said: “What a brilliant event this has been, it’s made me feel very Christmassy indeed!” Little elf Brendan Fisher, 5, completed the run with Sheila McKeown from Cochrane Park, and said: “I’d like to do the Elf Run every year, I loved it!” Karen Carr, intu Regional Marketing Manager, said: "The Elf Run has been a magical experience for everyone involved and has celebrated the true spirit of Christmas by raising funds and collecting presents for such worthy local charities. Mums and dads also joined in the festive fun by accompanying their children on the run, with some even trawling through their own fancy dress box to ensure they looked the part! It was an absolute delight to see so many little elves racing through the malls and they should be very proud of themselves!”