'The support we receive every year is amazing'

HUNDREDS of runners braved the heat for this year’s JCB Lakeside 5 and Fun Run, which raised more than £4,000 for charity.

- By JOSEPH RICHARDS

Almost 450 runners took on either a five-mile course or two-mile fun run around the JCB World HQ at Rocester.

The event raised £4,300 towards JCB’s £2 million appeal for the NSPCC.

Former JCB employees Charles Bevan, 78, and Mick Grindey, 63, of Uttoxeter, have the unique distinction of having run in every single JCB Lakeside 5 since the first was held in 1983 - a total of 40 races, three having been cancelled because of Foot and Mouth and Covid.

They were presented with mounted scale models of JCB backhoe loaders to honour 40 years of helping organise the JCB Lakeside 5.

Charles, of Abbots Bromley, said: "This year is full of mixed emotions as it is likely to be my last race. I am 79 next month and I have run every year dressed as everything from Popeye to Fred Flintstone, and even a pantomime horse.

"I have loved every minute, and I am so proud of what we have achieved raising thousands of pounds for good causes.