SUMMER running events have pulled in around £7,000 for Dudley's Action Heart charity.

Dudley Kingswinford Running Club has donated around £5,500 from its annual DK10K road race in May and the Gavin Tipper 5K memorial race in June.

While Action Heart's own Baggeridge 5K, also held in June, brought in around £1,500 for the charity - based at Russells Hall Hospital - which provides rehabilitation for heart attack and heart disease sufferers.

Action Heart spokesman Joy Brown said: "We have other events throughout the year such as concerts but the running events are our main events for fundraising. They're vital.

"All the funds we raise help to continue the service we provide. We get some funding from the NHS but that won't fund the 12-month exercise programme that our patients are on.

"We have around 700 patients coming through the programme at any one time."

Action Heart's next athletic event will be the Bodykraft Kinver 10K Challenge which is set to take place on Sunday October 5.

Runners of all abilities are invited to take part in the eighth annual road race, organised by Kinver Rotary Club.

The race, which starts and finishes at Brindley Heath Junior School, takes in scenic views of the countryside surrounding Kinver and includes a number of testing inclines, making it one of the tougher events of its kind in the area.

There will also be a 2K family fun run - taking place on the school field.

The 10K event is limited to 400 places so runners wishing to take part are advised to register early.

For further information or an entry form call Action Heart on 01384 292233 or visit website www.actionheartrunning.com