AN organisation that makes dreams come true for children has been given a marathon boost.

Dreamnight at the Zoo provides an annual, free evening for chronically ill and disabled children.

Some 145 zoos in 29 different countries worldwide take part in Dreamnight events.

Chester Zoo is one of the zoos that runs Dreamnight events and, as such, welcomed a team of runners who had run from Rotterdam Zoo to Chester to raise funds for the cause.

Rotterdam's Roparun team ran a sponsored relay-run of some 350 kilometres, ending at Chester.

Up to 13 runners, four cyclists and five facilitators made the two-day journey to raise money for the Dreamnight at the Zoo Foundation.

Angela Powell, Chester Zoo's Accounts Co-ordinator, said: "Dreamnight at the Zoo started at Rotterdam Zoo in 1996 and has spread throughout the world.

"We have held five Dreamnight events so far and 130 staff volunteer for this event each year. We have welcomed some 300 families over the years.

"Our Dreamnight evenings have proved to be both hugely enjoyable but also very humbling and we hope the families we have looked after have enjoyed the experience as much as we have."

Chester will be running its Dreamnight event again in June next year.

Angela added: "The Dreamnight at the Zoo Foundation receives no funding so sponsored events like this are vital to ensuring these important evenings continue. The runners were weary but happy when they reached us and received a very warm Chester Zoo welcome."