A team of journalists from London have run two 10k races in aid of two children’s charities in the capital.

A squad of five from the Newham Recorder took on the inaugural Great Newham London Run, while another five-strong team from the Romford Recorder took on their own challenge with the Regent’s Park Races.

Each member of Newham’s self-titled “Recorder Runners” team – comprising news editor Freddy Mayhew, reporters Sophie Morton and Mark Shales, apprentice reporter Jacob Ranson and former digital director Paul Hood – beat their expected times on 5 July, with Jacob finishing in 45 minutes.

The team have so far raised more than £500 for Richard House Children’s Hospice in Beckton and are applying for match funding through the Archant Gold scheme to hopefully boost that figure to more than £1,000.

The Newham team

Said Freddy: “We were thrilled to be able to raise funds for such a worthy cause, with the children’s hospice serving members of our community and beyond with vital facilities that give families the help they need.

“The Great Run brought with it not only glorious sunshine but also a fantastic display of togetherness through sport that is a shining example of the Olympic and Paralympic legacy in action. Long may it last.”

Mark also joined the Romford squad for the latter race, held on July 19.

It also featured news editor Emma Lake, reporter Beth Wyatt, photographer Ellie Hoskins and late recruit Toby Carter, son of executive editor Chris Carter.

The team raised money for children’s charity First Step, which supports young children with special needs or disabilities and their families, as part of a longer campaign by the paper that has so far raised more than £25,000.

Emma said: “The race was a great way to raise money First Step, while challenging ourselves.

“While, sadly, none of us were podium finishers we’ve raised more than £250 and will eventually recover from the embarrassment of these pictures appearing in print.”

The Romford team