The electricity provider has given the club a £250 grant as part of its Team Sport Award programme and it will be used to buy illuminated cones for road routes during the dark winter months.

Employee Rachael Raine, who works for the company’s Connections team in the Bury St Edmunds office and is a coach at the club, said: “Hadleigh is quite a small Suffolk town which means when we are out road running a lot of the routes are not well lit.

“These light up cones will make a really positive difference from a health and safety perspective as they will make it clearer to runners where they need to go.

“I’ve been a coach for around a year now after training through English Athletics, but I’ve been a Hadleigh Hare for seven years. I did a half-marathon last year and this year I’ve got more challenges ahead including a Tough Mudder race.

“Everyone at the club is really grateful for this donation, we have a lot of members who will benefit from the new equipment and it will make it safer for everyone to negotiate routes as many of our sessions are held at night.”

The Team Sport Award scheme is designed to encourage staff to volunteer in the community and is aimed at promoting healthy living, teamwork and development of sporting opportunities.

Hundreds of community and sports groups have benefited from grants since the scheme was set up. Last year £15,750 was donated to sporting groups connected to UK Power Networks staff.

Hadleigh Hares have around 100 members including a large junior section for children as young as eight to learn a range of track and field events. The club is always on the lookout for new members and anyone interested in joining should contact chair@hadleighhares.co.uk.