RUNNERS who competed in a half marathon in Valencia before the city was hit by devastating flooding are raising money to support those affected.

Kidderminster runner Rob Reynolds has helped organise a 13-mile run around the Wyre Forest in aid of charities helping to support families of those who died in the flooding and those left homeless.

Runners from Cleobury Mortimer Running Club, Amazing Feet Running Club and Hereford Couriers Running Club recently visited the Spanish city to take on a half marathon.

Twenty-four hours after completing the run, the Valencia region had been devastated by the worst floods in decades with over 200 people dying, thousands left homeless and businesses ruined.

Mr Reynolds, who took part in the run in Valencia, said they were on the outskirts of the area where the flooding happened.

He said: "We were there for that week. We were a couple of miles away from it.

"But we did see all the hardship and the clean up. When we came back we decided to do a charity run - there's about 15 of us.

"We are trying to raise £1,300. We are going to run 13 miles this Sunday". 

Cleobury Mortimer Running Club has set up a JustGiving page, with funds going to the Spanish Red Cross (Cruz Roja), through Z Zurich Foundation which will double the amount of all donations.

The JustGiving page says: "Our hearts go out to everyone there – the victims’ families and friends, the emergency services and the many volunteers who have descended on the region to do all they can to recover the bodies, search for the missing and clear the beautiful area of water, mud and debris.

"We feel we need to do our bit to help too. So, on Sunday, November 24, we have decided to run the 13.1 miles again, in our local Worcestershire area, but this time not to chase times but to raise money to send to the flood relief fund".

People can donate to the fundraiser via JustGiving.