Seventeen runners raised $5,300 for Bermuda Autism Support and Education (B.A.S.E.) after taking part in the Bermuda Day Half Marathon Derby.

Members of the Mariners Rugby Club presented the cheque to B.A.S.E. last week.

Rana Sayegh, a member and unoffical photographer for the club, said: "We wanted to raise as much money as possible. We've almost hit the $6,000 mark."

Ms. Sayegh, who joined the Mariners club in October, added: "I'm hoping we could make this a tradition."

With donations still coming in, the club expects the final sum of money raised to be $6,000.

Runners raised the money through sponsorship and donations for their participation in the Derby.

B.A.S.E. was founded in February 2001 and is an organisation of individuals living with and affected by autism. The group seeks to increase community awareness and understanding of autism through education and information.