A GROUP of runners will hit their stride in Sunday's Santa Fun Run in Skipton to remember their friend who died at Manorlands hospice.

About 40 runners are taking part in the event in memory of Jason Kendall, of Cononley, who passed away 10 days ago.

Jason, 45, had been cared for at the Oxenhope hospice for almost three weeks. The funeral is at St John's Church, Cononley, at 12.30pm tomorrow.

His sister, Leanne Kendall, said family and friends had decided they wanted to raise cash for Manorlands because of the "amazing level of care" he had received.

She added: "Everyone at Manorlands was absolutely superb and looked after Jason wonderfully well, so we thought it was the least we could do.

"We've already had a fantastic level of support - people have been giving donations to us and shops in Cononley and Skipton have collection tins. Already we have raised about £1,500 and we are hoping to at least double that.

"Manorlands relies completely on donations, so we all felt we had to do what we could to help."

Jason, a paint sprayer at Silver Star Body Repair Centre in Carleton, was known to his friends as 'Minty' and the runners will be taking part in the event as 'Minty's Army'.

He leaves his girlfriend Alison and eight-year-old daughter Maisie from a previous relationship, sisters Leanne, Beverley and Rachel and brother Paul.

The run, organised by Skipton Craven Rotary Club, starts at 11am in Aireville Park and follows a five-kilometre course around the town.

There were about 12,000 runners at least year's event and almost £30,000 was raised for local charities.

Donations to the runners for Jason can be made at virginmoneygiving.com/mintysarmy