MORE than 1,300 people put on their running shoes in the hopes of raising £40,000 for Acorns Children's Hospice.

In the ninth annual Acorns Triple Run at the Three Counties Showground, in Malvern, on Sunday, runners of all abilities came together to help support the charity, which has a base in Worcester.

Children took to the routes for their brothers, sisters, and friends with some coming from the Worcester hospice to take part in their wheelchairs alongside their supporters.

Of the 1,316 people taking part in the overall event, 91 ran the 1km Chicken Run, including Tom and Ben Hawkyard, aged five and seven who go to Lugwardine Primary Academy in Herefordshire.

Tom said: "I can't wait for ready, set, go."

The pair were running the event having recently completed a 2km course at the Colour Blast Dash in aid of COPE The Laura Centre - a charity for bereavement.

Ben said: "We've been running up and down the garden and the big field next to our garden and we've got our racing starts ready."

In the other races, 359 ran the 5km and 866km took to the half marathon, including Batman and Robin, also known as Callum Davis and James Underwood.

Mr Davis said they were raising money not just for Acorns but also for Greenhill Lodge - a children's home in Merrimans Hill Road.

"We're all doing it together to raise money for a local children's home," he said. "We need to raise £30,000 so Greenhill Lodge can have a sensory garden for the children. We're also being heavily sponsored by the Worcester South Rotary Club."

David Strudley, chief executive of Acorns, said the event was vital to keeping the £10million-a-year hospice service running.

He said: "Every year the excitement mounts as you come towards it - you never quite know how many people are going to come and then suddenly it takes off and people get involved and it is wonderful to see the community get involved and support our little children.

"What makes it so lovely is the community itself supporting us like the Cotteswold Dairy who give us all the water for after and the cereal bars from te Blakemore Foundation and you just know people will help and it is just because our children really need it.

"They never stop supporting but they must never stop as the children will never not need us."

Crossing the finish line of the 1km run was Millie Rousell, aged eight, who was the second girl to complete the course. Following her was her brother and cousin, George Rousell, aged six, and Molly Leeke, aged four, who completed the lap in just seven minutes and 40 seconds.

They each said they would be taking their medals in to school tomorrow (Monday) to show their support for the charity.

For more information on how to support the charity, donate, or sign up for more Acorns events, visit acorns.org.uk.