The charities which will benefit from this year’s Colchester Half Marathon have been announced.

The 2018 race, on Sunday, March 25, will see more than 4,000 runners pound the streets of the north Essex town for various good causes.

Among them will be the event’s charity partners, Essex and Herts Air Ambulance Trust (EHAAT), which will receive 75% of the proceeds, and MS-UK, which will receive 25%.

Sabi Stafford, Essex fundraising manager of EHAAT, said: “It costs approximately £2,700 for each mission, which equates to £6.5 million every year to cover all charitable and aircraft operational costs.

“We rely entirely upon the generosity and goodwill of individuals, businesses and groups such as this within the counties to continue our life-saving work and are so grateful to be chosen as a beneficiary for the second year running.”

Jill Purcell, fundraising manager of MS-UK, which has a wellness centre, Josephs Court, at the Hythe in Colchester, added being a charity partner for next year was “amazing news”.

She said: “It’s such a well-established local event which thousands of people enjoy taking part in whilst supporting local charities. We rely on the generous support of our fundraisers to make our work possible, and we’re delighted that we’ll be able to continue supporting people in Colchester affected by multiple sclerosis.”

Josephs Court has over 180 clients in the local area and has a range of specialised equipment designed to create strength and muscle tone and improve the general fitness of people affected by MS.

The race, which will start and finish at Weston Homes Community Stadium, is organised by local Round Table members. Hundreds of volunteers also help to make the day possible, along with local businesses who sponsor the event.

Runners can enter at www.colchesterhalfmarathon.co.uk

To find out more about being a part of the day as a volunteer or sponsor, visit www.colchesterhalfmarathon.co.uk/contact to get in touch.