Runners say they will raise cash for a popular cause but don't

Runners who took part in the Great North Run pretending to raise money for good causes have been called “fraudulent” by organisers.

An investigation found nearly 1,300 people took charity places but didn’t raise any cash despite promising to fundraise.

Epilepsy Action said 10 of 93 runners who were running to raise cash for its cause raised nothing in 2017.

The charity's fundraising events manager Katie Reah, said: "Often when they don't raise the sponsorship we tend not to see them at the finish either so they don't come to the charity marquee."

However Cancer Research UK recorded the highest proportion of non-fundraisers probably because it had the largest number of runners. Of 758 people who took its charity places, 318 (42%) raised nothing.

Each place cost it over £110 – twice as much as an individual will have paid who secured a place through the public ballot.

Daniel Fluskey from the Institute of Fundraising said: "If somebody has taken a place and then they can't participate in the event or they are not doing well with their fundraising, the main thing to do would be to speak to the charity because the charity can help them out or reassign that place if needed.”

The Great Run Company said: "We are aware of a small number of runners who exploit the charity system in the manner highlighted today, and absolutely condemn that practice, which is fraudulent, damaging for the charities involved, and goes against the spirit of the Great North Run."