ORGANISERS of a York charity fun run were given an insight into where their money goes when they handed over proceeds from their 2017 event.

The team behind the annual R U Taking The P? 5K race in support of cancer charities visited the University of York to present £7,411.02 to Professor Norman Maitland of its biology department.

Professor Maitland’s pioneering research into prostate cancer gets half the proceeds from the run, with the remainder benefitting York Against Cancer, the city’s cancer care, research and education charity.

Professor Maitland told event organisers the money raised was helping to support research which was trying to turn normal cells into cancer cells, which could then be used for drug testing.

His team was also investigating new methods of treating prostate cancer using an ionised gas, low temperature plasma, and working to make it as effective as possible by overcoming cell resistance to the treatment.

"This public support is so fantastic, because the work is very expensive," Professor Maitland said.

Brian Hughes, the founder of the event, said the research was "a life saver."

"To see where the money our team raised is going is wonderful," he added.

The 2017 event made almost £15,000, beating last year’s figure of £14,128.

More runners also took part this year and organisers hope to build on this for years to come.

The cash raised by the runners was boosted by the insurance giant Aviva, which gave £250 a head to six staff who helped organise the event.

A further boost came from York businesses Hunters estate agents, Riccall Care and sports management company i2i Sports Ltd, who also gave £250 each to the event.