A NEW festive event to raise much-needed funds in the fight against heart disease will take place in Bradford for the first time next month.

Organised by volunteers from the British Heart Foundation (BHF), 'Chase the Pud' will see joggers dressed as Santa Claus chasing a human-sized Christmas Pudding around the city's Lister Park.

All runners who join in the 1km, 3km, or 5km courses will raise money for life-saving research into Coronary Heart Disease (CHD), which figures show affects around 19,000 people across the Bradford district.

"Christmas puddings might usually be blamed for expanding our waistlines over the festive season, but not this year," said Sue Green, fundraising volunteer manager at the BHF.

“The Bradford Chase the Pud event provides the perfect way to kick-start the festivities, and it’s an excellent way for friends, families and colleagues to get together, share some Christmas spirit, and help raise money for the BHF.

“We are calling on the local community to support us by registering now to take part.

"Together we can make a difference, but we can’t do it without you."

CHD is labelled by the charity as the UK's "single biggest killer", and according to public health figures from Bradford Council, there were 1,768 deaths across the district attributed to CHD between 2010 and 2012, equivalent to a rate of 154 deaths per 100,000 population, higher than the national average of 132 deaths per 100,000.

GP registers from 2012/13 show 18,961 patients affected by CHD, alongside 68,751 suffering from hypertension, or high blood pressure, and an estimated 55,096 living with some form of cardio-vascular disease.

The Lister Park event, the equivalent of which is also being held at venues across the UK, has been organised by a new fundraising group, established four months ago to cover the Bradford and Shipley areas.

"The funding raised locally is used to support research into prevention and improving survival rates, the whole package," said Mrs Green.

"We also want to raise basic levels of awareness around CHD, such as the importance of having regular blood pressure checks.

"We're always looking for people to set up new fundraising groups, both big and small.

"Without our volunteers, our charity simply wouldn't exist. They raise the funds that make our work possible."

The Bradford event will take place from 12.30pm to 3.30pm on Saturday, December 13, at Lister Park.

A Santa costume will be provided for all adults who take part on the day, and children under 14 are encouraged to come in fancy dress, with prizes on offer for the best-dressed.

Olaf and Elsa from Bradford Mascots will be joining in the fun, plus there will be face painting and even a visit from Santa Claus himself.

Entry is £10 for adults, and free for children under 14.

For more information, or to register, call 01274 548324 or visit www.bhf.org.uk/chasethepud.

The 'Chase the Pud' event will also be taking place in Victoria Park, Calverley, on Sunday, December 7.