Thousands of Santas descend on capital for charity

The Santa in the City event sees runners race past central London landmarks

More than 3,000 runners dressed as Father Christmas descended onto the capital on Wednesday night to raise money for more than 50 charities.

The run saw a wave of red-suited runners race through London's landmarks, starting at St Paul's Cathedral and taking a 4.5 km (2.8 mile) route along the River Thames, passing Millennium Bridge and Tower Bridge.

This year, the Santa in the City event is spreading awareness of sarcoma, a group of rare cancers.

Another run is planned for Thursday, starting at 19:00 GMT.

The event has partnered with Sarcoma UK this year, to raise money for the rare form of cancers

Event organiser Rebecca Milburn said: “Santa in the City started nine years ago with 450 Santas and has grown to become the incredible spectacle it is now.

"This is more than just a run - it's a community coming together to make a difference."

Sarcoma UK, which funds research into the condition, was the event's official partner.

Its events manager, Louisa Morgan, said: "We're turning Christmas cheer into a powerful platform for change.

“With 15 people being diagnosed with sarcoma every day in the UK, we urgently need to raise awareness of this devastating cancer and to transform that awareness into action."

The National Brain Appeal was the event's accessibility partner, ensuring it was inclusive.

The organisers want the public to get involved, by cheering on the runners on the final night.