Parents have raised an impressive £2,300 for their village pre-school – delighting visitors to this year’s Hatfield Broad Oak Fun Run and 10k at the same time.

Hatfield Broad Oak Under-Fives Pre-school, in High Street, which has charitable status, held two gala-style fundraisers over the Bank Holiday weekend to improve facilities and help keep fees as low as possible.

One of the traditional 1950s-style fetes ran alongside the perennially popular HBO 10k Road Race and Fun Run on Bank Holiday Monday (May 25), with pre-school parents even donning their trainers to take part.

The fun run is a one-mile loop around the village starting at St Mary’s Junior School in High Street, and it follows on from the 10k Road Race, which celebrated its 30th anniversary this year.

Pre-school committee members, who held their first gala on Saturday (May 23), entertained spectators and finishing runners alike with a touch of carnival spirit – offering two bouncy castles, face painting, a coconut shy, archery, splat the rat and all manner of refreshments.

And there were even Disney characters organised by The Cock Inn, in High Street, which also made a financial donation to the fundraiser.

Committee member Lara Lidster, whose daughter has been through the pre-school and whose son currently attends it, said: “It was really well supported with a good atmosphere.

“We haven’t had the runners’ money in yet but we’re pleased with how the events did. With the pre-school getting some funding through the council, the more money we can raise the more we can keep fees at a reasonable level.

“We would like to upgrade the lighting and heating, and put in new flooring and Astroturf outside so it’s safer under the climbing equipment.”

The fundraising weekend included a Flower Festival at St Mary’s Church, which was an integral part of proceedings.

Mrs Lidster said: “Our pre-school really is linked to the church and our fundraising was very much in conjunction with them. We provided a display for their flower festival, which was a hugely important element of the weekend.”

For more pictures from the Hatfield Broad Oak 10k event, visit www.dunmow-broadcast.co.uk.