LONE parents carried out a charity run to support work with families in Poole.

They ran either 6km or 11km from Branksome Chine to Bournemouth or Boscombe Piers.

The event was organised by SMILE, a group for lone parents that is run in partnership with Faith Works Wessex.

Outreach worker Alix Digby said they raised £400 and the money would help running the club.

Parents meet at Branksome Chine at 9.30am on a Monday morning, and also at 6pm on a Thursday near the boat shed in Poole Park.

The events are called S.P.O.R.T – or ‘Single Parents Out Running Together’.

Alix, from Ashley Heath, whose son Isaac also took on the challenge, said: “The aim is to provide good role models for our children and for us to be active with our children.”

SMILE is a voluntary group and does most of its work in Poole Old Town and Longfleet.

Members meet on a weekly basis at a community cafe called No 34 in Poole’s High Street.

Alix said: “The group is all about connecting people.

“For example, one of our runners was looking for support for lone parents on the internet and she is going on holiday soon with one of her new friends from the group.

“She completed the 11km run.”

Oak Telecom provided sponsored T-shirts for the run.