A FESTIVE fundraiser cycled from Potters Bar to Noah's Ark Children's Hospice in Barnet last week, dressed as Father Christmas.

Chris Mousicos, 38, had originally been due to take part in an organised Santa Run in Greenwich Park, but due to the unpredictable weather the event was cancelled.

Undeterred, and determined not to let down friends, family and colleagues who had sponsored him more than £1000, Mr Mousicos decided to fulfil his promise by running from his home in Potters Bar to his chosen charity in Barnet.

Unfortunately, the night before the run, Mr Mousicos fell ill and was close to cancelling his own Santa run.

However, despite severe flu symptoms Mr Mousicos hopped on his bike and made the early morning journey on Wednesday December 15, accompanied by his friend Jason Levy.

The Potters Bar dad-of-three said: “I was ill and shaking with flu, but I thought who am I to be moaning about suffering.

“It was great fun but quite hard, and I was glad to see it cheered some people up on the road, who were honking their horns and waving at us.”

Members of staff at the children's charity congratulated the pair when they arrived at their office.

Mr Mousicos said: “When I got there it was quite emotional, they had balloons and the whole office came out and gave us a round of applause.”

Noah's Ark Children Hospice is a registered charity dedicated to “providing practical support to an estimated 350 life-limited children, and their families, living within the communities of South Hertfordshire and North London”.

Mr Mousicos added that he would “definitely be doing more fundraising for them in the future”.