A GROUP of amateur athletes put their best feet forward in the British 10k London Run on Sunday and raised more than £8,000 for a bereavement charity.

Eighteen runners from across the borough completed the race to raise funds for Grief Encounter, a Totteridge-based charity that supports grieving families and children.

Darren Shalson, 40, from Coppice Walk, Totteridge, said: "When you know a child who has been on a Grief Encounter workshop, you realise what a difference it makes.

"I have three children and I can't imagine what they would go through if they suffered such a loss.

"It is a fantastic charity where kids can come together and support each other through their bereavement."

Stacey Miller, 35, from Mill Hill, said: "A couple of my close friends have suffered major losses, and the fact they have found peace and happiness through this charity makes it very close to my heart.

"I haven't suffered any such losses yet, but it gives me great comfort that my friends have derived comfort from this."

Jon Geller ran the course as part of a ten-activity sports challenge he is undertaking for the charity between May and November 2009.

In June, he completed a 70.3-mile Ironman competition, comprising a 56-mile cycle, 1.2-mile swim and 13.1-mile half-marathon, and in November he will conclude his feat with the New York Marathon.

Mr Geller said: "I am doing all this to help Grief Encounter, which is an amazing charity.

"The charity supports over 200 bereaved children, but there are still over 50 children on the waiting list who urgently need their help."

Shelley Gilbert, director of Grief Encounter, said: "We are so grateful to all our runners this year for supporting Grief Encounter. Our aim is that every child who needs bereavement support should receive it.

"The money raised will help us to ensure children’s pain does not go unacknowledged and unresolved after the death of a loved one.

"Demand has exceeded supply for our service and the money raised from our runners will directly help to support some of the children on our waiting list."

To support these runners, visit www.justgiving.com and search for "Grief Encounters".