THE organisers of a charity run remained upbeat despite a low turnout for the inaugural event.

About 6,450 entry forms for the Butterwick Hospice 5km fun run were sent out, but only 50 runners and walkers turned up for the event, which started and finished in Preston Park, near Eaglescliffe, Stockton, yesterday.

Race director Phil Barker said: "I have been working on this race for 13 months. It's been in the newspapers, I have been on the radio.

"Perhaps it is because it is a Bank Holiday, but I think it is the British mentality.

"I would like to get runners of all abilities together to explain what goes into organising a race like this. We have to think about and organise water and the route."

Hospice fundraiser Trevor Newlove said: "Even with 50 runners, if we can raise £2,000, I would really be happy.

"We rely on the public's generosity and we are grateful to the people of the North-East. If I had had to cancel an event like this, I would still have to find the money from somewhere else."

The Butterwick Children's Hospice opened nearly ten years ago, and was the first in the North-East. Only three per cent of the money needed to run and maintain the hospice each year is provided by the Government.

Mr Newlove said: "We see it very much as a team effort and people who give us money do not always realise it, but they are part of our team."

Speaking about the run, he said: "We would like to make it an annual event, perhaps with 150 to 200 people taking part next year and growing to 1,000 in three or four years time."

Runners were set off by Mr Barker's six-year-old grandson, Joshua Barker-Rainer.

There was also a 1km sponsored toddle to raise funds.

Organisers hope to raise more money from a 10k road run starting from the Tees Barrage, Stockton, next May.

Mr Barker said: "We are hoping to involve a big sponsor and make the race international."