MORE than £2,500 has been raised by a running club for a homeless hostel in Egremont.

The St Bees Triers has presented staff and residents at Calderwood House with a cheque for £2,509. This money will go towards accommodation and training courses for residents.

Cash has been raised through the club's Longest Journey Home 12-month challenge. Swimmers, runners and cyclists are being encouraged to cover the 250,000 miles from the moon to earth, and make a charitable donation along the way.

Jon Raymond, organiser of The Longest Journey Home event, said: "Nearly nine months ago St Bees Triers running club began their Longest Journey Home charity challenge, to raise awareness of homelessness.

"Today, using some of the funds raised to date, they handed over a cheque to local Homeless charity Calderwood House in Egremont and got a tour of the room that they have sponsored for the next twelve months."

A spokesperson for the Triers said: "Homelessness is an issue that continues to grow, both nationally and locally and many people just aren't aware of the size of the problem, or its causes.

"We're very pleased to be able to help and we owe a debt of gratitude to all the people who have and continue to support the Triers. Calderwood House is a superb organisation and we're proud to have been able to help."

The donation has been welcomed by Rachel Holliday, founder and director of Calderwood House.

She said: "St Bees Triers are a force of nature! Their energy is infectious!

"I first met them when they hired our coffee van at one of their fundraising events in the summer. They said they wanted to raise some money for Calderwood House and they certainly did that.

"I'm so pleased they've sponsored a room with us. The money they have raised will not only change lives - they will save lives. Not only will this donation help towards running costs, it will also pay for residents to attend training courses needed to get into employment. We have had nearly 100 residents through our doors.

She added: "St Bees Triers have made such a difference to keeping our doors open. One community group supporting another... that’s what us West Cumbrians are all about."

For details on how to help the Triers, go to www.LongestJourneyHome.org or visit their website www.triers.co.uk