RUNNERS prepared for the Vitality Reading Half Marathon by circling Forbury Gardens on Saturday to raise awareness for child exploitation.

The annual family-themed 5k fun run kicked off at 11am to raise funds for a range of local charities on National Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) Awareness Day.

Reading Borough Council teamed up with Thames Valley Police to organise the centrepiece event, in a bid to raise awareness for disadvantaged and abused children.

Councillor Jan Gavin, lead member for Children’s Services, said: “The safeguarding of children is everybody’s business and this annual campaign is an excellent way of raising awareness of this issue.

“The event at Forbury Gardens on National CSE Awareness Day is a great family fun day with an important message behind it.”

Dozens of families attended the fundraising event at the weekend in preparation for the half marathon, with all proceeds going to Trust House Reading, Barnardos, Male Survivors Berkshire and The Rahab Project.

Fran Gosling-Thomas, chair of the Reading Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB), added: “CSE remains a high priority for Reading LSCB and all partners continue to be committed to working together to help tackle this issue.

“Events such as National CSE Awareness Day and the local family orientated activities taking place at Forbury Gardens are a great way to increase publicity and awareness.”