THE popular Poppy Run drew nearly 100 runners to raise money for the Royal British Legion on November 11, despite bad weather.

The 98 runners plough in ankle-deep mud on the course in unrelenting rain but the atmosphere was 'fantastic' according to Bere Alston Trekkers, who organised the event.

The runners stayed together as one group taking in war memorials on their way and stopping at Horrabridge, Walkhampton and Meavy primary schools — whose pupils greeted thems with cheers, posters, claps, water, biscuits and a superb cake with a 11.11.11 logo iced onto it.

Dotty Allan, Bats chair, thanked Derek Hicks, his wife Yvonne, Robert Hicks, Chris Baab, Julian Setterington and the team from Dartmoor Rescue, Kate Anstead; Debbie Doidge, Alice Brimacombe — who was 11 on the day and started the event — Ric Cheadle (president of Royal British Legion) and Cllr Robin Musgrave, deputy mayor of West Devonann all the businesses that sponsored the event.

Bats have so far raised £6,300, a figure set to increase further. To make a donation go to http://www.justgiving.com/PoppyRun">www.justgiving.com/PoppyRun