PATIENTS at Poole Hospital are set to receive a fabulous array of equipment after more than 100 elves dashed through the town to raise funds.

Organisers of the Elf Dash hope the Poole Hospital Charity will benefit to the tune of £30,000 from the event, held at Baiter Park on Sunday.

The 1.6k event drew hundreds of spectators as elves of all ages battled to run against strong winds.

And around 30 VW campers, decked out for Christmas, were also on hand to add extra interest to the event.

Sara Fripp, fundraising manager for the Poole Hospital Charity, said they hope to buy five items of equipment with the proceeds.

The first is a scanner for the maternity unit, the second a scanner for the nuclear medicine department and the third a “magic carpet” for children’s services.

The “carpet” is a piece of therapy equipment which will benefit users of Gully’s Place, which provides services for children with life-limiting illnesses.

They also hope to buy a bladder scanner for the brain injury service and a treatment couch for the radiotherapy department.

Sara said: “They are a really diverse range of items but they will all make a huge difference to the patients.

“All of them are over an above what will be provided by the NHS but they will help make things a bit easier for people in difficult situations.”

The Elf Dash is one of a number of festive events organised by the charity.

A Christmas quiz has already taken place and there will also be the Poole Hospital Carol Service later this month.

Poole Hospital Charity founded to fund equipment which is not provided by the NHS and supports all the wards and departments across the hospital.

The charity enjoys huge support from the local community and is always looking for people to get involved and hold an event to support its work.

Advice and support will be given and help with publicity will be provided.

The charity is also looking for people to help in its gift shop, book shop and at any of the events it is involved with.

Donation of books, raffle prizes and craft items are also welcome.

Anyone interested can call the charity office from Monday to Friday, 10am until 4pm.