AN ARMY of Santas running across the beach at North Berwick will help send one teenager to Ghana to teach and volunteer there.

Beth Poole, 18, who lives on Wamphray Road, left North Berwick High School in the summer.

Before attending the University of Glasgow to study neuroscience, she is taking a year out to teach English and maths at a junior school in the Volta region of the West African country.

She leaves next month and will be in Africa for eight months, living with a host family based within the community while she is out there.

And to help fund her trip, she is organising this year’s North Berwick Santa Run, which takes place next Sunday (December 15).

Her African adventure is organised through Project Trust.

Beth told the Courier: “I’m really excited and nervous – it will be nerve-wracking at first. I am hoping it will be very rewarding. I’m excited to see all of the new cultures as well – I’m hoping to take some sports gear with me, I’ve been asking some friends for their old hockey sticks.

“I’m going to teach my own class when I’m out there so I’m going on a one-week teaching course before I go.”

In order to go to Ghana, Beth needs to raise £5,500 and currently has £1,000 left, so has decided to host this year’s Santa Run.

Registration opens at 8.30am on the day, with runs beginning at 10am outside the Hope Rooms – 2k, 5k and 10k runs are on offer.

The route takes runners across various parts of North Berwick, with the 10k heading out to Broad Sands.

The routes involve water and climbing over rocky sections, so appropriate shoes and winter clothing are advised.

There are some age restrictions on the runs: the 2k is open for all ages, with children under seven to be accompanied by an adult; the 5k is open to those 13 years and over; and the 10k for those aged 17 and over.

Entry for under-sevens is £2, under-18s pay £7 and adults £12, with Scottish Athletics members receiving a £2 discount.

All of the money raised at the Santa Run goes towards Beth’s fundraising efforts.

She added: “It’s been a lot more difficult to organise than I thought but hopefully I’ve done enough. I know it’s quite tough to run on the beach, but we will all be fine.”

Enter the run at entrycentral.com/festival/1317 or email bethpoole42@gmail.com

Since the run is Santa/Christmas themed, participants are encouraged to wear Christmas clothing.

Dogs are welcome if well behaved and on a lead.

Those not taking part are welcome to spectate and support, with tea, coffee and cakes for sale in the Hope Rooms.

Beach Wheelchairs, where Beth’s mum Cath is a volunteer, is also open and available for hire to allow everyone to take part in the event.

Participants receive a Santa hat on arrival and a hot drink and home baking after completing their run.