ANYONE walking through Bovey Tracey on a wet Monday evening would no doubt have ended up scratching their head by the sight of around 40 runners dressed in all shades of red.

They were all members of the Teign Valley Hash House Harriers, and the run in red was one of their regular charity events. This one had an especially poignant meaning as last month the group lost one of their members, Stewart ‘Rambo’ Bondi.

They were raising money for the mental health charity Shout 85258, a free, confidential, anonymous text support service.which offers a lifeline for anyone who is struggling with depression or mental health, and on the night they raised £183.

Member Wendy ‘Soapy’ Heagarty, said: ‘Stewart was well known across the Hash House Harrier groups and ran with us as well as several others in Devon. It’s a tradition to hold regular charity red dress runs – the next one will be in Newton Abbot on Hallowe’en.’

On Monday they followed a paper chase of some five miles around the Parke estate and the town, and like other events it was open to people of all ages and abilities.

Wendy said: ‘We had people aged from 13 to their 70s taking part, and the run is set up so that we all finish at nearly the same time – most of us go on to the pub afterwards! We always make new members welcome.’

Anyone wanting to join the ‘drinking group with a running problem’ can find out more by going online to www.teignvalleyh3.com.