A nurse from Eltham has taken part in a festive run in memory of her sister who died of cancer.

Caroline Johns, 58, took on a Santa Run in London with her daughter Louise and daughter-in-law Francesca.

The event saw more than 4,000 people dressed as Santa run around Victoria Park.

The family were fundraising in memory of Caroline’s sister Anne Pike, from Blackfen, who died from a brain tumour in August last year.

Caroline, a practice development nurse, said: “I was proud and excited to participate in the Santa Run with Louise and Francesca, and we ran with Anne in our thoughts every step of the way.

"It was a day of mixed emotions, and the mince pies at the finish line were certainly well-deserved.”

The family raised more than £585 for the Brain Tumour Research charity.

Caroline continued: “Anne was the best sister I could have asked for. Not only were we sisters, we were the best of friends and had so much in common, we could have been mistaken as twins."

Runners had a choice between a 5k or a 10k route and received a free five-piece Santa costume, including a red cloak, matching trousers, a jaunty bobble hat, a belt, and the all-important beard.

Tim Green, senior community fundraising manager at Brain Tumour Research, said: “We are extremely thankful to Caroline, Francesca and Louise for taking part in the Santa Run in memory of Anne, and we hope they inspire others to fundraise for this vital cause over Christmas.

"Brain tumours kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer, yet historically just one per cent of the national spend on cancer research has been allocated to this devastating disease.”

To donate to Brain Tumour Research via the family’s JustGiving page, go to www.justgiving.com/fundraising/francesca-johns1