THOUSANDS of pounds have been given to community groups and organisations across Hertfordshire, raised by those who took part in last year’s Abbots Langley Tough Ten run.

Having completed the annual ten kilometre race in October, participants managed to raise about £8,000 through sponsorship.

At a meeting of the Tough Ten committee at Breakspeare School, Abbots Langley, on Friday night, organisers praised the hard work of all the runners and revealed which groups would be receiving cheques during the course of the evening.

The beneficiaries are: Essex and Hertfordshire Air Ambulance Trust (EHAAT) which is run entirely by donations and needs £130,000 per month. Judy Howlett from the trust received £5,000.

Breakspeare School which is hoping to update its swimming pool changing rooms. Headteacher Gill Williamson received £1,000.

Abbots Langley JMI School (ALSA) which needs new gym equipment. Jo Fewster from the Abbots Langley School Association received £500.

John Blake, from South West Herts Narrowboats Project, represented "Dick’s Folly", a narrow boat based on the Grand Union Canal. The boat is used to give disabled people a trip on the canal. The charity received £250 towards the project.

Friends of South West Herts Samaritans received £260.

West Herts Against Crime (WHAC), which advises victims of crime on making their homes secure and also fits extra locks and safety measurements free of charge, received £250.

Leventis, a local taekwondo club whose members ran in the race and raised £167, received £100 back. It was received by Lorraine Leventis from the organisation.

The Monday Club, which caters for disabled people in the village, was £250, which was received by group chairman John Fisher.

Mr Fisher said he was over the moon with the donation, especially given that the committee had supported the club for the past 12 years. He added that it would give the Monday Club’s coffers a much needed boost and would help pay for a number of outings for members throughout the year.

John Reid, chairman of the Abbots Langley Tough Ten committee, said: “It was heartening for the committee that so many children entered from the village schools, clubs and youth groups. Race day was the hottest on record and we had to put on extra water stations.

“It has been very hard work to organise the races, as the red tape has increased alarmingly, giving us even more paperwork, phone calls and arm twisting, as well as many additional costs.

“But I give my thanks to everyone who helped us out at last year’s race.

“This year’s event will be especially memorable as it will be our 30th race day. We hope our supporters will join us again to marshal the races and any other volunteers will be most welcome.”

This year’s Tough Ten will be held on Sunday, October 7, and will include a 1.5k, 3k, 5k and 10k run. For further information about taking part, email organiser Alison Warner at abbotslangleytoughten@googlemail.com.