On Christmas morning 500 men and women from the Army, the RAF and the Royal Navy based at the Contingency Operating Base in Basra, Iraq took part in a traditional military ‘Turkey Trot�?�?a 5km fun run around the base in support of the Help for Heroes campaign.

Participants came from all camps around the base, from Major General Binns, the General Officer Commanding Multi-National Division (South East), through to Harry Duke and Rush from the Working Dog Section. Each runner paid $10 for their entry into the race, with all the proceeds going directly to charity. Buckets were also taken around the route to encourage even more donations.

Fancy dress was encouraged and the troops turned out in everything from Borat ‘mankinis�?to full scuba-diving gear and even black tie.

Lieutenant Colonel Gerry Porter, Commanding Officer of the Contingency Operating Base Support Unit, said:

"We wanted to organise a fun event for the troops on Christmas Day and decided to try to raise some money at the same time for a good cause. The unanimous decision across all three services was for the money to go to the Help the Heroes Campaign.

"We’ve had a fantastic response from both military and civilian personnel from the base and I’d like to thank The Sun and their readers for their tremendous support."

There were medals for the fastest male and female. And the best fancy dress prize went to the �?18 118�?girls. Organisers are hoping to have raised over £15,000 in entry fees and donations.

Boxing Day Fun Run in Afghanistan

Meanwhile on Boxing Day a 10km fancy dress ‘Fun Run�?was held at Camp Bastion in southern Afghanistan for 160 runners from across the resident Battalions and Units based there.

The competitors were running in aid of the British Limbless Ex Servicemen’s Association (Blesma) and the Army Benevolent Fund. The event was organised by Captain Mark Keane, 37, of the Royal Electrical Mechanical Engineers. The runners, including Luke Skywalker, Darth Vader, Borat, Father Christmas and a Smurf, hoped to raise over $1,600 (and more) through race entry fees and sponsorship from across the base.

In bright but chilly conditions, the event was won by Captain Brun of the Joint Helicopter Force with a time of 38 mins 13 seconds. Captain Ericson of the Danish contingent led the female competitors home with a time of 46 minutes 40 seconds.

Gunner Paul Drysdale, 18, from Stirling, won the ‘best fancy dress�?award for his Scottish garb:

"Considering I had a big hat, which slowed me down, I came fifth with a time of 41 minutes and 30 seconds," he said proudly.

Captain Alex Ireland, 26, from the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Battery, added:

"Friends and family are all supporting us, everybody here has got some good sponsorship and luckily the Battery Captain, the second in command, volunteered to put some money aside for us so hopefully we should do quite well for the Blesma fund."