FIFTY runners gathered for a charity 10k in memory of a beloved grandmother.

Team Deane Triathlon Club athletes organised the fundraiser as a tribute to Alison Brady, who died on September 4 after a two-year battle with cancer.

The run, held along the Middlebrook Trail on Saturday, September 24, raised £1,000 for Bolton Hospice, where the 54-year-old was cared for, and was such a success that the club are planning to turn it into an annual event.

Alison, from Deane, is survived by her husband, club founder Chris Brady, her five children, and 17 grandchildren.

Mr Brady said: "After Ali recently passed away from cancer the club decided to raise money for Bolton Hospice as way of a thank you for the wonderful care that they give not just Alison but others fighting cancer.

"Before Alison passed away she said that on the day she was taken in at the hospice it felt as though someone had wrapped her in an invisible blanket and made her feel so much better.

"The club is one big family and Alison's passing hit everyone hard. The fun run was Team Deane's way of saying thank you to the hospice and also still having Alison part of the day.

"The members did a fantastic job in organising something like this in such a short period of time and goes to show that community and family are all you need.

"The club have made Bolton Hospice their chosen charity for all future fundraising and we will be holding more events in the future which we hope more people will get involved with and we can raise lots of money for this great place."

Fittingly, Alison's aunt, Lynn Murray, and best friend, Nicola Barker, were the last two people to cross the finish line after walking the six-mile course.

The club also held a raffle at the Vulcan Inn, in Junction Road, after collecting donations from local businesses including Decathlon Bolton, The Bike Fitting Room in Prestwich, and Barrons Of Beef.

Team Deane coach and committee member, Gareth Riley, added: "It's now going to be an annual event and one we hope many more people and local tri and running clubs join us at next year.

"It will be our way of remembering Alison in a sporting fashion with all our members enjoying the day and again raising money for the hospice which is now our club chosen charity."

He added: "Ali was always our main supporter at all events, coordinating supporters, giving them tea and coffee and sandwiches. She loved the club as much as Chris and the rest of us do."