by Alan Quick

A BUMPER cheque was recently presented to representatives from local cancer care charity, Hospiscare.

The money, £1,550, was raised by staging the Crediton Crunch, which took place in May last year.

The Crediton Crunch is a 10k (approximately six miles) multi-terrain race organised by Crediton Running Network and sponsored by Ernest Jackson Ltd, manufacturers of medicated confectionary and vitamin products, of Crediton.

It has been held annually in May since 2009.

It is a very popular race and is run in aid of charity each year.

Charities supported have been Children’s Hospice South West in 2011 and 2012, Balloons in 2013 and 2014 and FORCE cancer charity in 2015 and 2016.

This was the first time that the Crediton Crunch and Ernest Jackson Ltd had supported Hospiscare.

The 2018 Crediton Crunch will take place on Sunday, May 13 and as well as the usual 10k race Crediton Running Network plans to have a family fun run as well this year.

Crediton Running Network (CRN) is a local running club for all abilities that meets at Lords Meadow Leisure Centre on Monday and Wednesday nights and Saturday mornings.

The club currently has more than 120 members who regularly turn up to run various distances, all led by volunteers.

The Monday night meeting has four different groups (EXE – who run between three and 3.5 miles; CULM – who run between four and 4.5 miles; TEIGN – who run between five and 5.5 miles and the CREEDY group who run between six and 6.5 miles).

Julie Box, Chair of CRN, said that the Club has, over the years, raised thousands of pounds for charities and would like to get more involved with local charities and causes.

She explained: "On the last Monday of every month the Club would like to donate the £1 paid by each runner on that evening to a local cause.

"If you have a worthwhile cause that you think might benefit from this, please visit the CRN website: www.creditonrunningnetwork.co.uk and use the ‘contact us’ section to give us some details of the cause.

"There has already been some interest from local primary schools who are fundraising for play equipment. It would be lovely to support as many local causes as we can.

"The Club would also welcome people who are not Club members to run with us on the Monday night to help raise more funds."