St Bede’s AC in Esholt have donated more than £1,500 to charities this year through organising a popular series of races open to the public.

The John Carr 5k races attract more than 300 runners to each race, including top athletes from across West Yorkshire as well as club runners and joggers.

Various causes chosen by club members benefit. From the 2008 proceeds, cheques have been sent to Martin House children’s hospice at Boston Spa, Bingley Blind social centre, Epilepsy Action and the Greenwood Centre at Swain House.

Paul Watts and Andy Hudson from St Bede’s took part in this year’s Great North Run to raise funds for Martin House so their contributions were each boosted by £200.

Epilepsy Action in Rawdon were this year responsible for organising the first Bradford 10k city centre road race and received a cheque for £300.

St Bede’s also organise a relay in June round the Bradford Millennium Way and have visitors from Holland and Belgium to that event.

St Bede’s Jack Verity said: “Our Dutch visitors are accommodated at the Greenwood Centre and are made very welcome and thoroughly enjoy their stay, so this year we decided to give something back to the Greenwood Centre by giving them £300.”

Christine Charles, the Greenwood Centre manager, said: “Within Greenwood we are working with a group of young people, age 12 to 17, who are in the process of setting up an independent group known as HYTS (Helping Young people in Today’s Society).

“The aims are to provide activities organised by young people, which young people want to take part in and to encourage young people to take a lead.

“The group plans to seek lottery funding to employ adult workers to support and guide them.

“The young people will attend training on recruitment and selection, enabling them to conduct interviews and recruit their own workers.

“This group now need a cash kick-start and the donation will be well spent supporting this group.”

This year’s John Carr 5k series will take place on May 6, 13 and 20.

They are an ideal distance for anyone new to running wanting to try out a race, further details can be found on the St Bede’s web-site www.stbedesac.org.uk