Hundreds of people put on their running shoes to take part in a charity fun run,

Redbourn Fun Run, which was organised by a group of mums, raised almost £9,000 for local causes. The money will be split evenly between Redbourn Infant and Junior Schools and the local charity, Up on Downs, which supports families of children with Down’s Syndrome.

More than 700 people of all different ages participated in the event, which is now in its second year, choosing to run distances of 1km, 3km and 5km.

The charity day took place on the grounds of the Redbourn Leisure Centre in Dunstable Road, on Sunday, May 22, and included a range of craft stalls and a raffle with a car rental as one of the prizes.

Ruth Upjohn, who devised the idea of a fun run, said: “We wanted to make this annual event fun and to encourage local families to embrace the health benefits that participating in a sporting activity can bring.”

Former Olympic breaststroke swimmer and Commonwealth Gold medalist, Adam Whitehead, helped launch the event and encouraged local school children to join in and the former Mayor of St Albans and current portfolio holder for sport and leisure, Cllr Annie Brewster, presented trophies to the winners alongside head teachers from local schools.