The future of a family centre which is battling a lack of funding is closer to being secured after 127 children took part in a fun run.

Organised by dedicated volunteers, the 5km or 10km fun run for the family centre at Highgate Primary School took place at the Albert Recreation Ground in Haringey, with 43 parents also joining the field.

The aim of the run was to help raise £10,000 to pay for core resources for centre and enable the service to keep supporting more than 100 families each week with a place for their children to play and learn.

Thanks to the run – and a cake stall which raised £217 – more than £5,000 has been raised to fill centre’s coffers.

Centre manager Katherine Nashnush said: “The fun run was an amazing achievement. The support, united community spirit and strength of feeling for our wonderful and extremely valued family centre was truly wonderful to see and feel on the day – a really proud moment.

“We are determined to keep moving forwards with our incredible services.”

Led by the school’s sports coach John Hutchinson Sukhdeo, children ran in 1km and 3km races, with the adults taking on 5km and 10km distances.

Every participant received a handmade medal created by artist Jacky Oliver with the help of pupils at the school.

David Musgrave, A Highgate Primary School parent who organised the fun run, said: “After all that work it was uplifting to see so many people turn out to support the family centre.

“Many, like me, knew the value of the centre through direct experience. Others came because they identified with the cause.

“In the context of so many unwanted cuts, it shows that people understand and care deeply about the way the youngest members of our communities are supported.”

Hornsey and Wood Green MP Catherine West said: “In these tough times it is great that so many people turned out for the Fun Run to raise funds for the family centre.

“While it is devastating that cuts to education imposed by the government are set to have severe consequences for our children, it is equally inspiring that our community has come together to support their futures.”

You still have time to donate to the centre by visiting justgiving.com and searching for ‘the family centre at Highgate Primary School’.