KIDS rarely dress the same way as their grandparents – but George Watson-Clay was happy to do that today.
The 12-year-old dressed as Santa Claus, just like his nanna and grandad, for a fund-raising "Jingle Jog" in Markeaton Park.
And, as Christmas is all about family, George – whose birthday falls on December 25 – was also joined by older brother Jack, his aunty, Kirsty Westran, and cousin Elicia Westran, 11.
Together, the family raised about £50 for the Derby Hospitals Charity by completing a 5k jog around the park in big red suits.
George's grandmother, Jane Watson, who volunteers in the maternity unit at the Royal Derby Hospital, persuaded members of her family to take part – for the fourth year in a row.
Her daughter Kirsty, of Belper, said jogging alongside hundreds of other Santas made it a very merry occasion.
She said: "It was really good. We love doing it because there's a really Christmasy spirit to it.
"When we're running along the A6 bit we challenge ourselves to see how many drivers we can get to beep their horns. I think we must have achieved our highest score this year."
Kirsty's dad, Ross Watson, the grandfather of the family, said: "It will be young George's 13th birthday this Christmas Day so it's a special time of the year for the family."
Casual dog-walkers in Markeaton Park rubbed their eyes in astonishment as more than 400 Santa Clauses jumbled towards them during the event, which took place this morning.
The aptly-titled Jingle Jog involved two circuits of the park, along the A38 and back to the starting line.
Wendy Lee, from Chaddesden, took part with her two sons, Joshua, 16, and Jordan, 15 – who raced ahead of the family dog, Tye, who also took part.
Wendy said: "The boys have been really excited about taking part but they thought Tye would hold them up so they ran it alone."
A team of physiotherapists from London Road Community Hospital also took part.
Grace Pearn, clinical team leader at Physiotherapy Outpatients, said: "We really need some new exercise equipment, especially a new leg press which costs £2,000, so we decided to sign up for the Jingle Jog to try to raise as much money as possible and well as having some fun with all the other Santas."
During recent years, those taking part have raised more than £40,000 – money which has been used to create a new play area at the Derbyshire Children's Hospital and to build a suite for parents who lost a baby in late pregnancy.
