THERE WAS power in numbers on Sunday as hundreds of runners united in teams to raise funds for good causes.

The Ark100 team, which was made up of 30 members, piled on the miles and pulled in over £5,400 for the Ark Cancer Centre Charity which is currently raising funds for a new state-of-the-art cancer centre planned for North Waltham.

Mark Jones, director of fundraising and communications for Ark Cancer Centre Charity, led from the front and ran the half marathon in two hours and 34 minutes.

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He told The Gazette: “I am grateful to all of our great Ark100 runners, and everyone who has sponsored us. The aim was for everyone who took part to raise £100 and most of us have reached and exceeded that target, which is great.

“A lot of training and effort has been put in by our team members over the last few months, and I am delighted that we have achieved such a great result.

“Not only have the runners raised money towards the £5million fundraising appeal, but their presence in this high-profile local event has increased awareness of the charity and the Cancer Treatment Centre campaign.”

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In addition, 35 runners took part in the half marathon to raise funds for St Michael's Hospice, in Aldermaston Road.

The hospice provides care for people with life-limiting illnesses through its in-patient unit, Hospice at Home service and its range of outpatient services.

It provides care free of charge to patients, and with only 22 per cent of its funding coming from the North Hampshire Clinical Commissioning Group, it needs to raise an additional £2.5million to provide its services.

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Jackie Ridge, corporate partnership manager at St. Michael’s Hospice, said: “We are delighted as the headline local charity to have once again supported our friends at Destination Basingstoke for this year’s Basingstoke Half Marathon, the ongoing support is essential to our fundraising effort.

"Our volunteers and staff love this event and over 35 volunteers and staff from St. Michael’s Hospice were present throughout the day, manning the baggage and runner pack collection tents, we are as always extremely thankful for their time and support.

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"Thank you to Destination Basingstoke for hosting yet another wonderful event and to all those who took part and fundraised for St Michael’s Hospice, your support changes lives and offers support for those most in need."

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Other teams taking part on the day included Hatch Warren Runners, Basingstoke and Mid Hants Athletic Club, Chineham Park RunningCkub and a team from Basing View-based business Asset Advantage.