THE first Christmas run at a Vale of Glamorgan hospital organised by an Abergavenny woman has raised more than £1,300 for charity.

Beth Clarke (nee Morgan), 34, was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis (CF) at 20 months old, and spends time at the Llandough Hospital’s All Wales Adult Cystic Fibrosis Centre which provides care and support for those living with this life- long disease.

She organised the first run held at Llandough Hospital on December 20 with the help of the fundraising manager for the Cardiff and Vale Health Charity Katie Mallam, Llandough Hospital’s physiotherapy technical instructor Steve Howard, and general manager PA Elaine Payne.

Mrs Clarke said: “For our first event I was over the moon with the turn out and it was so touching to see everybody's Christmas spirit was in full swing making the event a huge success.

“I'm really excited to work with Cardiff and Vale Health charity again to make this an annual event. Their support has been all-important and they've been a pleasure to work with.”

There was a 5k run and a 1k family fun run which together has raised more than £1,300, with more sponsorship money being donated.

Many of those taking part chose to don a range of Christmas themed outfits, while a band led by Dr Hadyn Jones performed to get the spectators in the festive spirit.

Santa also paid a visit in his grotto, children enjoyed face painting and there was a range of stalls.

Joining guests was Cardiff Blues’ Alex Cuthbert, boxer Lee Selby and Miss South Wales Inspiration Carla Zayas.

Ms Mallam added: "A massive thank you to the people who turned out to make a difference to the all-Wales CF unit and get some exercise at the same time.

“Our donors and volunteers have been incredibly generous and the money they have raised will go directly to making the lives of adults with CF that little bit easier."

The fastest male and female was recorded in each age category in the 5K run.

In the age 8-12 category winners were Lewis Trotman and Thea Lloyd, age 13-20 Molly Kennard (no male runner), age 21- 30 Nathan Briant and Kate Parkinson, age 31- 40 Gary Brown and Donna Egbeare, 40+ Alan Capleta and Liz Mallen.

Mrs Clarke, as part of a fundraising team called Bertha’s Army- comprising of her parents Michelle and John Morgan, from Abergavenny, husband Lyndon Clarke, and friends, Jackie Strawbridge, Ceri-Anne Wilkins and Hayley Mills- has raised £11,496.48 for the centre, smashing their total £10,000.

All of the money will go to the Better Life Appeal which in turn aims to raise £1.3 million to equip a wing in the centre with an extra eight beds at the hospital, so every penny raised counts.

The hospital provides the only adult cystic fibrosis centre in Wales caring for more than 250 patients.

Their final fundraising event of 2015 will be a music night held at The Wharf in Cardiff on December 27.

For more information visit facebook.com/berthasarmy or follow @berthasarmy on twitter.

To donate to their cause, visit justgiving.com/berthasarmy