Belfast raises £23,000 in Haiti fundraisers

Events included a fun run through Ormeau Park in Belfast

More than £23,000 has been raised to help the survivors of the earthquake in Haiti after a weekend of fundraising in Belfast.

More than 500 fun runners took part in a race, including Olympic gold medallist Dame Mary Peters, around Ormeau Park on Sunday.

The event is part of the Belfast4Haiti campaign which also organised a day-long concert.

The total attending the concert was 1,250 organisers said.

The total raised so far now stands at £23,000 but there are more proceeds (primarily % of bar takings at tonight's gig) to be added so we probably won't have a final total for a few days.

Speaking on Sunday, event organiser Austin Tanney said the reaction to the run had been "phenomenal".

He added: "It's turned out incredibly well today. When we first arrived down, it started to snow, but the weather has been great.

"We have had an amazing turn out and the money is going to a great cause in Haiti."

Dame Mary said that she was delighted to be able to take part in the event.

"The people of Belfast and Northern Ireland are so generous with their support of charities and they have come up trumps again," she said.

"Look at the crowds of people, some pushing prams, serious runners and old ladies like me just prepared to walk."

The money is being raised for the Disasters Emergency Committee, the umbrella group comprising 13 UK charities.