A SOUTHGATE theatre company has organised a 10km run to raise £10,000 in a bid to support less well-off families.

Susan Jamson, spokesman for Chickenshed Theatre Company, said the recession had hit the arts world hard and the company was having to be more inventive in the ways it raised funds.

She said: "We've never had government funding, but rely entirely on trusts and foundations and on the generosity of people. In this financial climate it's become more difficult to keep going - so this event will fund much needed support."

Chickenshed has been running for 36 years. The company has set the fundraising challenge for the tenth day of the tenth month of 2010.

"It's all tens with the aim of raising ten thousand pounds. We really, really keen for as many people to take part as possible," added Mrs Jamson.

The challenge will start at Chickenshed in Chase Side, Southgate, with exercises to warm up runners. At 10am runners will tackle a 10k route around Trent Park or a shorter 3k challenge.

The company hopes to raise £10k which will go towards its Social Fund Initiative which provides families who are unable to financially support their children.

Entry forms can be found on the Chickenshed website.