More than 200 runners and walkers took part in the first Trickey Warren Trek to raise funds for the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance.

Their efforts helped to raise more than £5,000 for the life-saving charity, which relies entirely on fund-raising to meet its costs.

Four different events were held on the day - a 2k family-friendly fun run, 4k individual and team runs, and a 10k course for the more serious runner.

People travelled from all over Somerset, Dorset, and Devon to join in the fun and do their bit to support the air ambulance.

It was held on the former Culmhead airfield, on the Blackdown Hills between Chard and Taunton.

Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance charity manager Charlotte Routley said: “It was a brilliant day and we would like to warmly thank everybody who took part and all those who supported us in other ways on the day.

“Sponsorship money is still coming in and if anybody wishes to donate it is still not too late.

“This was the first time we had tried our hand at organising a fund-raising event like this ourselves, so we were naturally nervous about how it would turn out.

“To get so many people involved like this just shows the tremendous depth of support that the air ambulance charity has from people across the South West and we now intend for this to be an annual event.

“We had everybody from experienced runners to those who just walked the course, and the weather was kind to us so I think everybody had a really fun time as well

“Because we do not receive any Government funding at all, we have to look to people like the Trickey Trekkers to raise every penny of the £3,500 per day cost of keeping the air ambulance helicopter flying.”

So far in 2009, the air ambulance has attended nearly 500 emergencies across Somerset and Dorset, taking the total to more than 6,700 missions since it was launched in 2000.

More information about the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance can be found by visiting www.dorsetandsomersetairambulance.org.uk or by emailing info@dorsetandsomersetairambulance.co.uk or calling 01823 669604.

Trickey Warren Trek Results:
Men’s 10k - 1 Mark Hopkinson (32 min 46 sec), 2 Luke Scott (33-17), 3 Matthew Hopkinson (35-32).
Ladies’ 10k -1 Alison Garton (45-01), 2 Lucy Bright (49-36), 3 Kate Fox (50-03).
Men’s 4k - 1 Rowan Preece (14-03), 2.Keith Paul (14-28), 3 Andrew Clark (14-54).
Ladies’ 4k - 1 Rachel Heard (15-32), 2 Sharon Wilde (17-22), 3 Emily Hakin (18-13).
Team 4k -1 Milsted Langdon, 2 Smith and Whitemore, 3 Royal Bank of Scotland.