Local mascots were the stars at the world’s biggest annual mascot race over the weekend, raising thousands for a local hospice in the process.

Penguins, sausages and a fleet footed castle were just some of the 82 mascots who descended on Wetherby Race Course on Sunday to take part in The Sue Ryder Mascot Race, which helps raise money for Manorlands Hospice in Oxenhope.

Shooting ahead of the pack and coming first was Flash the Starlight Hike Star (Ashley Kearton), representing the Sue Ryder shop in Keighley.

But arguably the real star was 17-year-old Josh Hudson, from Oakworth, who ran the race despite his rare heart condition. The teenager has a heart defect known as transposition of the arteries and is the only person with the condition to have lived past the age of eight.

He was running for Heart Research UK, the charity that has helped him lead an active life despite his condition. On Sunday he put on the cumbersome costume – a giant heart – for the good cause and bravely ran the furlong-long race with his family cheering him on.

He raised £106 and said: “It was quite tiring. It is an unsuitable costume when the wind catches it. I’d like to do something like that again, but I don’t know what next. It was nice to raise the money.”

Organisers believe the event raised more than £12,000 for the hospice and £5,000 for other good causes.

It takes the amount raised in the race’s eight year history to £110,000.

In addition to the race there were other awards, including the best ‘British Medal Winners’ themed mascot, which was awarded to two mascots entered by the Sports Turf Research institute at Bingley. The award for most funds raised went to Keelham Farm shop, who had raised £2,200.

Other local entrants included Peanuts the Penguin, representing Airedale Shopping Centre, raising money for Yorkshire Cat Rescue, and there were also three cat rescue volunteers who came dressed as the charity’s feline mascot.