A group of runners are taking part in a 10km race to raise £5,000 to build a new school in Gambia.

Roots Nursery School – a charity set up in 2009 to raise money for children in Gambia – was set up by Hitchin resident Mark Mardlin, a builder, after he visited the country in 2006.

A team of eight completed the British London 10k race - which goes through Westminster and the city of London - last year and raised almost £3,000 which was used to buy desks and chairs, blackboards, mosquito nets, healthcare and a crate of educational supplies for the school in Nemakonku.

Mr Mardlin said: “We are looking to buy a plot of land with the money raised from this year’s race and we would ask anyone interested to come along because it’s a great day out for a great cause.”

Anyone interested in taking part in the race, next Sunday, July 13, should contact Mr Mardlin on mark@rootsnurseryschool.org

To donate visit www.bmycharity.com/runningforroots2014