HUNDREDS of people ran a 5km route around Leverhulme Park yesterday to raise money for sufferers of a muscle-wasting disease.

More than 200 people took part in the run, which was organised by brother and sister Brendan Higgins and Catherine Brogan, from Heaton.

They decided to hold the event after their mother, Kath Higgins, aged 60, of Lowndes Street, Heaton, was diagnosed with motor neurone disease last July.

They hope to raise more than £1,000 from the event, as well as make people more aware of the illness, which can leave suffers unable to speak, swallow food or move their limbs.

Mr Higgins, of Melrose Avenue, said: “It’s very important to us to raise this money, because without support I hate to think how these people would live.

“We just wanted to do something to help people who have my mum’s condition and hopefully find a cure for it.”

Mr Higgins is still collecting sponsorship money, which will go to the Motor Neurone Disease Association.

As well as the main event, about 100 children went along to take part in shorter fun runs.

Mr Higgins said there was a carnival atmosphere, and the event was a great success.

He said: “It was really good. I was absolutely amazed with how it went.

“We were only asking for entrance fees, but some people decided to do their own sponsorship as well, so we’re really grateful.

“Words can’t describe how good it was.”