Inaugural Santa Paddle raises over £24,000 for Alder Hey

At the end of November, we were delighted to host our very first Santa Paddle at Albert Dock, and what a fantastic event it turned out to be. Against a backdrop of festive lights and winter cheer, more than 40 canoes took to the water, all in support of Alder Hey Children’s Charity.

The Santa Paddle was created to bring people together for something a little different, combining outdoor activity, community spirit and family festive fun, while raising vital funds for children and young people receiving care at Alder Hey. Seeing so many paddlers, volunteers and supporters come together made the day truly special.

As dusk fell, the dock was transformed as illuminated canoes glided across the water, creating a magical scene that captured the attention of everyone watching from the waterfront. The atmosphere was filled with excitement and laughter, reminding us just how powerful community fundraising can be.

Thanks to the incredible generosity of everyone involved, we are proud to share that the Santa Paddle has raised over £24,000 for Alder Hey Children’s Charity. These funds will help support the hospital’s ongoing work to provide world-class care, equipment, and environments for children and young people when they need it most.

We would like to say a heartfelt thank you to everyone who took part: our paddlers, volunteers, supporters, partners, and donors, as well as the teams at Liverpool Watersports Centre and Royal Albert Dock for hosting us. Your enthusiasm, kindness and commitment turned an idea into a truly memorable event. We would also like to thank our event sponsors Home Bargains, without whom the event wouldn’t have been possible, Floating Grace, Harbourside Sea School, Make Noise Choir and The Canal and River Trust, who all helped make the event as amazing as it could be.

Following the success of our first Santa Paddle, we’re excited to announce that next year’s event is already on sale. If you’d like to join us on the water, support a wonderful cause, and help make the Santa Paddle even bigger and better, we’d love to have you involved.

To secure your place or find out more, visit our website. Together, we can continue to create unforgettable experiences while making a real difference for children and young people at Alder Hey.