Thirteen colleagues from six branches of independent funeral directors Daniel Robinson and Sons raised more than £1,800 for Isabel Hospice when they took part in a 10 kilometre run.

The team included Phil Clegg from the Waltham Abbey branch as well as Jamie Lister, Liz Chapman and Hannah Free from the Harlow branch.

Assistant funeral manager Louise Griffiths said staff were always up for a challenge for a good cause, adding: “ A huge effort has been made over the last few weeks as the team members built up their running distances. For some of the team this was completely new and they have shown great dedication in training for the race.”

First over the finish line was race leader Trevor Fox, from the Bishop’s Stortford branch, in an impressive 51mins, closely followed by Terry Wright, from the Halstead branch, a couple of minutes later at 54mins. Liz took the lead for the ladies in a time of 1hr 2min, with Sandy Maloy (Halstead) following hot on her heels at 1hr 3min.

Jamie and Jenna Weeks (Saffron Walden) came over the line together in 1hr 5min, followed by Phil in 1hr 14min and Louise (Braintree) in 1hr 15min window. Hannah was not far behind them, finishing in 1hr 20min.

Penny Ward (Braintree) and Tina Horncastle (Bishop’s Stortford) brought up the rear - with a VIP escort, the chairman of the Ware Tens - in a respectable 1hr 45min.

For personal reasons, Dagmara Fryer (Bishop’s Stortford) completed her own 10K a week earlier, finishing in 1hr 3min.

Their efforts will help Isabel Hospice continue to provide its free specialist care and support to those living with a terminal or life-limiting illness, including heart failure or respiratory disease, neurological conditions, such as motor neurone disease, as well as cancer, across eastern Hertfordshire.

The hospice's services are free of charge to those who need them, but they are not without cost, meaning the charity must raise £7.5million every year to guarantee its future.

You can still donate to their fundraising page www.drobinson.co.uk/fundraising and help them reach £2,000.