A team of 20 supporters have raised �12,000 for a Havering hospice by running in the Royal Park Half Marathon.

Amongst the runners raising money for St Francis Hospice was operations manager Robert Lewer, who completed the route in two hours 25 minutes and raised more than �450.

Also running was Tracy O’Sullivan, from Rainham, who raised �1,000. She said: “I really enjoyed the event and although it was hard, it was worthwhile. I know how important the charity is to people in the community – my Nan is a volunteer in one of the shops and it was a great comfort to know St Francis Hospice offered help when a relative was unwell.”

Another runner was Victoria Tremlett, from Romford, who walked the course dressed as Superwoman. She was marking the first anniversary of her double lung transplant, which she needed after having Cystic Fibrosis. She raised more than �2,000 for St Francis Hospice, which supported her.

Hospice fundraiser Lauren Josman said: “I’d like to congratulate and thank everyone who took part on behalf of St Francis Hospice. Your hard work and donations will make a real difference to local people with life-limiting illness as it will go towards the specialist medical care and emotional support we provide to patients and their families.”

The �12,000 raised by the runners will go towards providing care to local people affected by cancer, heart disease, or other life-limiting illnesses, in their homes and at the hospice.