Lord Montagu to start VW Santa Run to hospital

Scores of brightly coloured VW campers and cars will start their journey as Lord Montagu waves the chequered flag to start the New Forest VW Santa Run in the grounds of the National Motor Museum.

Laden with gifts from kind donations, drivers will be accompanied by motorcycle outriders as they head to the unit for children and teenagers with cancer and haematological disorders. In the fifth annual charity run convoy, they will take presents for youngsters as well as the hospital doctors and nurses.

Event organiser Phil Ashby said, “We are very excited about this year’s Santa Run and really looking forward to another great day. With increasing numbers each year, we are expecting at least as many VWs as last year and, as always, the decorations get more creative every year.”

VW drivers will get into the Christmas spirit by decorating their vehicles and themselves in festive attire, with Lord Montagu presenting prizes to the best-dressed van and best-dressed family.

Beaulieu will continue its festive celebration as its first Christmas at Beaulieu light trail transforms the grounds of the attraction until 24 December.

Explore the Fire Garden Cloister, then walk through a Tunnel of Light festooned by a canopy of over 100,000 twinkling pea-lights on the one-mile trail. See the dancing lights on the walls of Palace House, follow a path of giant icicle shards, enter the Meadow of Light with thousands of fibre optics and listen to the ‘singing’ tree finale. Catch a glimpse of Father Christmas and his elves on the veteran bus and enjoy traditional fairground rides, with marshmallows roasted on a fire pit.