Young Muslims who helped in Cumbria in the aftermath of the December 2015 floods will return to the area to raise money for charity.

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association will hold its 33rd Mercy for Mankind event in Keswick on Saturday, August 18, featuring a half marathon and a 5k walk.

Both events will start in Fitz Park at about 10.30am, with up to 1,000 members of the association expected to take part with the goal of raising £500,000 for charities including The Royal British Legion, Save the Children, NSPCC, Barnardos, CLIC Sargent, UNICEF, British Red Cross and MIND Cumbria.

Farooq Aftab, event organiser and deputy head of the association, said members had helped out in the county during the aftermath of Storm Desmond, which had inspired them to hold the challenge in the area. They hope it will help local people and businesses.

The association was given a Spirit of Cumbria award for its charitable efforts during the floods.

Mr Aftab encouraged local people to sign up for the event and wants it to continue the relationship between the association and the area.

He encouraged local people to sign up for the event and wants it to continue the relationship between the association and the area.

He added: "Nowadays people have many misconceptions about Islam.

"We raise hundreds of thousands of pounds every year for British charities because we practice the true teachings of Islam.

"Hundreds of us are travelling to the Lake District from up and down the country for the Mercy for Mankind Charity Challenge to raise funds for the most needy in our society without any distinction of faith, colour or creed.

"We are extremely grateful to the local councillors and community in Keswick who we are working closely with."

Since it was launched in 1985, the challenge has raised more than £2.5 million for dozens of British charities.

For more information or to register for either the half marathon or 5k walk, visit www.mercy4mankind.org