NEARLY 80 runners and walkers braved the rain last Saturday to raise vital money for Syrian refugees living locally at the first ever Gimme Shelter 3K fun-run.

The event, held in Bromsgrove's Sanders Park and organised by Bromsgrove and Redditch Welcome Refugees, had a green theme and saw some runners wearing super-hero fancy dress attire.

There was also a healthy dose of rock music provided from the bandstand by local poet Spoz Esposito and his band Vaseline.

More than £300 was raised which will go toward supporting Syrian refugees re-located locally through a government vulnerable persons scheme.

A donation station near the start line also collected a range of essential items that Worcestershire charity People in Motion will deliver to refugee camps in Northern Europe.

Tariq Arafa, from Bromsgrove & Redditch Welcome Refugees and race organiser, said: "It was really pleasing to see so many people from across Redditch and Bromsgrove come to support the refugee cause despite the rain.

"The money raised from the event will be invaluable in helping Syrian families settle in the area and we hope that the event has raised greater awareness about their plight. Once again the generosity of local people has shone through and we hope to repeat the event in years to come."