MORE than 600 runners and walkers took part in the annual Solstice Saunter in aid of Manorlands.

And the event raised £17,000 for the Oxenhope Sue Ryder hospice.

Since it was first held six years ago, the saunter – staged at the Bolton Abbey estate, on the longest day – has now coined-in about £137,000.

People of all ages and abilities tackle the five-mile circular route.

The event is organised by the Airedale Dodgers Running Club.

Sponsors are JB Springs of Skipton and the Silsden-based Ecology Building Society, a first-time headline sponsor which worked with organisers to make the event completely free of single-use plastic water bottles.

The fastest male runners on the day were Kole Broadfoot-Cox, Joe Baker and Matty Warters, whilst the first three female finishers were Heather Tuffs, Lisa Hirst and Georgina Robinson.

Everyone who took part, including more than 100 people who completed the event virtually across the UK, received a bespoke medal.

Andrew Wood, community fundraising manager at Manorlands, said: "The Solstice Saunter is a fun and unique way for people to come together in a beautiful setting and celebrate the arrival of summer, with the added benefit of raising vital funds for a good cause.

"Thank you to our sponsors and volunteers for making the event such a success, and to everyone who pulled on their trainers and joined us both at Bolton Abbey and virtually. Every pound raised really does make a difference and will help us continue to provide more care for more people in our community during the most difficult times of their lives."

Forthcoming Manorlands fundraising events include the Bronte Sportive on Sunday, July 17.

Six routes are on offer to cyclists – including the 93.1-mile Heathcliff, which is recognised as one of the toughest sportives in the UK.

Others – also named in tribute to the Brontes – are Charlotte (74.5 miles), Emily (50.3), Anne (29.2), Branwell (23.7) and Patrick (9.9). All start and finish at Keighley College.

There will be refreshment stops and water stations on each ride, run by volunteers from the Queensbury Queens of the Mountain Women’s Cycling Club.

For further information and to register, go to sueryder.org/sportive.

Manorlands supports patients with life-limiting illnesses and their families at the hospice and in the community.

All services are free to patients and their loved ones, but it costs £10,000 a day to keep the hospice doors open.