The Hash House Harriers have donated $45,000 to Operation Santa Claus - their largest contribution ever.
A portion of the donations came from 120 runners (some dressed as Santa Claus) who completed trails near South Island School last Sunday. Men paid $120 and women $80 to take part.
The Santa Hash run, as with other hashes, was a variation on the 'hare and hounds' race. Runners, or 'hares', leave trails - some of them false - which are followed by other runners, or 'hounds'.
The run was followed by socialising and drinking, which netted $2,000. The harriers also organised a raffle that raised $8,000.
More than 45 sponsors made other contributions totalling about $35,000.
One donation of $8,000 was made by the David Johnson Memorial Fund, which was set up in memory of a Hash House Harrier organiser who died last year.