Spooky Halloween Underground Hospital run raises funds for Dyslexia Day Centre

Participants in fancy-dress were raising money for the Dyslexia Day Centre. Each ran 10 laps of a 640m circuit within the tunnels with most taking the option to do two more in darkness while relying only on the light from head torches. It took the total distance to about 7.5km.

Hospital worker, Daisy Clermont, 19, and customer support worker, Vics Duquemin, 21, entered in to the spirit of the event by making their own spider costumes from tights stuffed with bubble wrap, rucksacks and socks.

'We wanted to try something different,' said Miss Duquemin. 'At first it was really cool but by half way through we were really regretted it as the costumes were so warm.'

Miss Clermont said everything looked the same as they ran and it became difficult to know exactly where they were.

Grammar teacher, Matthew Jamieson, 42, was taking part for the first time, though he said he was a keen runner.

'My son got diagnosed with dyslexia a few months ago and I wanted to help the charity,' he said. 'I've never been in here before and it's quite unique.'

Full time mum Jeanne Svejstrup, 46, had run in last year's event.

'It's a simple fun run and you don't have to race,' she said. 'It's something completely different and there's a great atmosphere too.'

IT worker Dave Wratten, 27, took part with girlfriend, Alex Childs, 23, who is a student.

The couple had been to the Underground Hospital before but had never run in it.

'We've taken part in other organised runs before like the one on the Airport runway and the Muddy Cow event,' he said.

Miss Childs said she thought the event was really cool and said it was nice to see so many people dressed up.

Last year's event raised £2,300 for the Dyslexia Day Centre while the latest was expected to make £1,300

Almost 150 people took part in 2018 and there were 85 running this year.

'We're still very pleased with that and it's a good turnout,' said DDC committee member and event organiser, Stuart Mosley. 'Last year's event was on 1 November but as tonight's Halloween there are probably many youngsters out trick or treating with their families.

Festung Guernsey took over the running of the German Underground Hospital in May last year. GUH director Paul Bourgaize said they had wanted to open the GUH for other events and groups and this was for a worthwhile cause.

See more photos in tomorrow's Guernsey Press or on our Instagram page @guernseypress.