FESTIVE fundraisers collected hundreds of pounds for charity as they joined a 5km "pudding run" in Cwmbran today.

Individual runners and families dressed as Santas, Christmas puddings and elves took part in the fun, obstacle run at North and South Fields for St David’s Hospice Care.

Just 70 people joined the non competitive run but the organisers anticipate that up to £5,000 has been raised.

Fundraising co-ordinator Franca Nigro said: “It was fantastic.

“It is the first time we have done a pudding run with a few obstacles.

“We have always done a Christmas run. They thoroughly enjoyed it.

“We would encourage people to do it next year.”

Parents Tim and Liz Rees pulled their sons Ben, three, and Theo, six, on a sledge with their dog Marty.

Liz, 34, a secretary at Rougemont School, said: “It was great. It was good fun. We also did the Santa run in 2012.”

Runner Anne-Marie Maloney, 40, said: “It was brilliant. It was great fun. It was a beautiful morning.

“It is great to get children involved in charity at a young age.”

Her son Jack, 11, said: “It was great. I enjoyed the activities at the end.”

Rachael Netherway, 41, of Newport Sledge Dogz, completed the run with a sledge and her two rescue dogs Dexter, 12, and Badger, five.

She said: “It was great. They are good boys.”

Pontypool mum Claire Yemm, 32, and her son Taylor, seven, raised £200.

She said: “We’ve raised money for the Race for Life in the last two years. It was great.”

Before crossing the finishing line, participants had to go through hoops, do skipping with a rope and play hopscotch.

Cwmbran development team leader William Lee, 27, completed his first 5km fundraising run in about 40 minutes and collected £40.

Meanwhile, an Abergavenny family comprising a grandmother, mum and daughter raised about £120 together.

Libbi Musto, 11, said: “It was tough.” Her mum Debbie, 31, agreed, saying: “It was hard.” while gran Margaret Woodhouse said: “It was my first achievement.”