THE record entry for the Accrington 10k Road Race was great new news for East Lancashire Hospice.
The race - the 18th running of the event on October 31 - attracted 447 entries, including club runners, fun runners and former world champion, Accrington-born Ron Hill.
Each individual paid an entrance fee that covered cups, medals and prizes and each entrant paid an extra £1 that went to the East Lancashire Hospice, raising £500.
Race Director Gerry Bunn, a life long running fan, said: "When we were planning the event it was decided that we would donate £1 from each runner to the local Hospice as a reward for the excellent work they do in our communities," he said.
The Hospice, based on Park Lee Road in Blackburn, cares for terminally ill patients and their families from Blackburn, Darwen, Hyndburn and the Ribble Valley and depends on the generosity and support of people from the region, with £400,000 needed to be raised from voluntary sources this year alone.
Harry Grayson, Head of Fundraising at the Hospice, said: "It was a fantastic gesture from the road runners. I watched the start and the finish and it was humbling to see both the seasoned runners and the fun runners competing on our behalf.
"We are also delighted that they have chosen the Hospice to benefit from their endeavours. On behalf of everyone at the Hospice I would like to say that their pain was the Hospice's gain and thank them."
