WHAT started as a bet between colleagues at a works Christmas party turned into more than £1,000 to help local asthma sufferers.

Four quarry workers from North Craven challenged each other to put on their running shoes and do the Skipton 10k road race in July.

They all kept their promise and completed the run, and this week handed over £1,065 to Airedale General Hospital's asthma department.

It all began when Michael Moorehead, of Settle, who works at Hanson's Giggleswick Quarry and started running two years ago, bet foreman Simon Garner, of Gargrave, that he couldn't run the Skipton race, which is just over six miles long.

Simon rose to the challenge and in turn bet Horton quarry worker James Ferguson, of Ingleton, that he couldn't do it too.

Next to be roped in was Horton quarry's assistant manager John Peate, of Cononley, who had done a half marathon in 1996 - but didn't tell his colleagues this until being interviewed by the Herald this week!

The four finished the 10k within about 10 minutes of each other and some are now considering keeping up their running.

Michael already has - he completed the Great North Run for the second time on Sunday, running with wife Cynthia.

The four chose the asthma department because Simon's daughter, Emma, suffers from the condition.

Simon said: "Emma is seven. She started out with eczema then we found out she was allergic to cats and it built up from there. She's fine, but she has inhalers."

The four raised £565 in sponsorship and employer Hanson chipped in with £500.

"We have a charity matching fund which matches any sponsorship up to a value of £500 so the company contributed £500 to our total. Hanson gives away quite a lot of money in this way each year to registered charities," said John.

The money was received by asthma specialists Dr Harold Hosker and Dr Mohammed Raashed.

Dr Hosker said: "We have no particular projects, but we need new equipment for a variety of things.

"Some of our difficult asthmatics are on continuous infusions of treatments for which we need syringe drivers, and there are always little things coming up. This money will be really useful.

"I think it is great that they have done this. I think anything that encourages healthy living has got to be good and if it raises money at the same time that is great."

Dr Hosker also had a challenge of his own for the four men: "I will join them for the Great North Run next year," he promised.