MORE than 1,000 runners were all pumped up for a good cause in Heaton Park.

They took part in the Helping Hearts family 5km run on September 25 and helped raise more than £10,000 for Heart Research UK, with sponsorship cash still rolling in.

Organisers said they were delighted with the number of people taking to the course, compared with last year's tally of 400.

An event spokesman said: "This year saw a large increase of participants as local families made their way around the course to raise money for Heart Research UK, with many of them embracing the new 'field of fresh' giant inflatable obstacle course for the final 500 metres."

It is the third year that the run has taken place in the park, and among those taking part was Donna McGregor, a 34-year-old catering assistant, formerly from Prestwich.

Donna's grandmother Ida McGregor died of a heart attack at the age of 80 in 2008 and Donna has since lost four-and-a-half stone in a bid to get fitter.

Donna said: "The loss of my nan and knowing heart disease runs in my family didn't initially encourage me to lose weight, but when I got pregnant I stopped smoking and shortly after my daughter was born I decided to begin a course to keep fit."

Three years ago Donna's mum, sister and nieces attended the run at Heaton Park and had such a great family fun day, they spread the news throughout the family which resulted in Donna, her daughter Charlotte Hanson, now aged five, and Donna's father joining the following year.

This time round, Donna, Charlotte and Donna's 14-year-old stepdaughter Daisy-Anne Molyneaux took on the 5km course along with some of Donna's friends and their children.

Donna said: "We had such a fantastic time last year, I asked my friends to join in this year with their kids. It is the most family friendly and fun race we have done."

Heart Research UK's Barbara Harpham said: "The local community have once again been more than generous with their donations.

"All the sponsorship money raised will fund worthwhile projects that promote heart health in the region."