The Roc Search Santa Run will be a huge amount of pre-Christmas fun for the 1500 people who are set to take to Reading Streets.

A bit of exercise before the party season and the chance to raise money for charities around the town.

This year a share of the money raised by runners' entry fees and sponsorship will go to the Ollie Young Foundation.

The charity was set up after the death of five-year-old Ollie Young in February 2012 just 12 weeks after feeling dizzy and being diagnosed with a brain tumour.

It is raising funds to research the condition to give people a better prognosis. PhD student Emily Pinkstone is working at Portsmouthg laboratory researching glioblastoma multiforme, which is the specific condition from which Ollie died.

Mum Sarah Young, of Wokingham, said she would encourage people out there to pull on their trainers and have a go knowing the money raised would be gratefully received by the charities chosen by the Rotary Club of Reading that is organising the run in its second year.

She said: "We are extremely grateful that we are going to benefit from the Santa Run.

"I hope the people who take part thoroughly enjoy it. We really appreciate the help and support that will allow us to continue on our journey.

"This journey is bittersweet for us because as much as we want to celebrate the work we are doing it is still very hard as we wouldn't be celebrating if my son was still here.

"We will continue growing and getting stronger and stronger and raising money."

This year the Santa Run kicks off with a 1.5km junior fun run for children under 10, at 8.30am on Sunday, December 6.

The main run will then be under starter's orders at 9am at the starting line near Forbury Gardens, central Reading.

Each entrant will get a 2015 medal and a goody bag, as well as the Santa suit and beard they will be wearing.

Prizes will be handed out for the first three men and three women to cross the finishing line.

Entrance costs £15 for adults and £7.50 for the under 10 race including adults accompanying children under eight.

Last year the 1,000 entrants raised £24,000 with the primary beneficiaries being Alexander Devine Children's House Hospice Service and The Duchess of Kent Hospice, which is also the main charity this year along with Daisy's Dream, which helps children affected by bereavement.

Runners can apply for a place in the race by visiting readingsantarun.co.uk