How did the idea for the Santa Run come about?

It was a bet in the pub! When I joined Dial-a-Ride in 2001, the charity had just won a lottery grant. Having won the award, we immediately fell under Health & Safety regulations and employment law which rendered the limited facilities of our office at the time completely inadequate. We were faced with the challenge of raising a further £40,000 pounds in order to move to more suitable premises. This wasn't going to happen shaking tins!

I was having a drink with my friend Tony Allwood and he said wouldn't it be great to see 500 Santas running down Broad Street - and that's how the idea was born. I did a bit of research on the internet and it became clear that nobody else was doing it. This was something different. The Dial-a-Ride committee's initial reaction was one of disbelief and it was hard to raise the enthusiasm. But the next thing we did was to put an advert in the paper seeking 500 santas and it was a sell-out immediately.

What has been the effect of the Santa Run on Newtown?

The Santa Run has been great for the town. It gets Christmas going with a smile and has added to the prosperity of the town. Every hotel in the area is fully booked. We estimate that about £150, 000 is generated for the local economy. It's a family event and it's nice to see the spectators turn up in Santa suits too! There are even pets dressed as Santa! People cross the finish line in tears - they're so proud to have made it round. It's also got an international appeal now. This year, we've got runners coming from Italy to take part.

What has been the effect of the Santa Run on the Dial-a-Ride team?

The Santa Run has enabled the charity to go forward and has unleashed the potential of the team to be themselves. It's kept Dial-a-Ride on the map and kept it running. If we hadn't have got it, we wouldn't be here today. The team are a bunch of stars, they all care and you've got to, to be involved with a charity. The Santa Run is a great motivation for the work.

What's the atmosphere like on the day?

If you could bottle it you'd make millions! It's a very emotional day. We've spent twelve months planning for it and on the day we just have to hope that it will all go to plan. By 11am, the adrenalin rush takes over! The following day, I like to come in to check the newspapers and see if we've made it.

How did you get involved in this kind of work?

I've been involved in fund-raising for 20 years. I started my career in the army and got involved in promoting the army and that led on to charity work. It's great fun and you know you're making a difference. I've raised money for Claire House and Hope House children's hospices and the Air Ambulance. In 1991, we set the world record for getting the most people to blow bubbles at one time. The Santa Run is now the biggest event on the Welsh fund-raising calendar. We've even got Blue Peter coming this year.

Have you any future fund-raising plans?

I'd like to have a go at wing-walking and we're trying to do something to tie in with the World Cup next year but my real dream at the moment, is to complete the Isle of Man TT Course on a mini moto child's motorbike!