A GROUP of runners from Malvern have decided to donate to the Community First Responders (CFR) charity throughout 2014.

Malvern Joggers, which aims to promote health and fitness in the community, nominated the group as its charity of the year.

The idea came from jogging club member Steve Roode whose work colleague Daryl Williams is a newly-qualified CFR. CFRs are volunteers who are trained to attend emergency calls received by the ambulance service and provide care until the ambulance arrives.

Dave Harford, from the Malvern branch of CFR, said: “CFRs are invaluable to all ambulance services.

“Unfortunately, like all other groups countrywide, we are a charity and rely on donations and fund-raising to supply our volunteers.

“Malvern Joggers have chosen us to be their charity for 2014 (and) these muchneeded funds will go so far.

“They will enable us to replace old kit or perhaps enough to buy a full kit bag for a new CFR.”

This year, the 160-strong running group has collected more than £2,500 for Malvern Special Families as its chosen charity.

Malvern Joggers have been running and socialising since the club’s formation in 2003.

The runners meet on Wednesday evenings and most Sunday mornings to run around Malvern and provide a number of groups for runners of different standards.

You do not need to be a member – you can turn up and decide which group you would like to run with.