A series of charity fun runs in Port Douglas, Cairns and Atherton will raise money for research into Great Barrier Reef protection in addition to local causes.

The five-kilometre Run For The Reef events will be held on Sunday morning, with the Port Douglas event beginning and ending at the Port Douglas Surf Club. 

Half of the funds raised from all three events will go to James Cook University’s Great Barrier Reef Research Fund and the other half will go to local causes supported by Bendigo Community Bank. 

In Port Douglas, the local portion of the funds will go towards learn-to-swim lessons at Port Douglas State School. 

Bendigo Bank regional manager for Far North Queensland Tony Jensen said the Great Barrier Reef was a significant asset to the area and deserved protection and support. 

“The Great Barrier Reef provides great social and economic prosperity to the Far North,” Mr Jensen said. 

“Bendigo Bank is very big on helping build and grow local communities so we see this is as an opportunity to take the lead in community development.”

Bendigo Bank Port Douglas Branch manager Helen De Ross encouraged the Port Douglas community to support the Fun Run on Sunday. 

“Through the Everyday Hero program people already raised over $800 for the Fun Run before it’s even begun,” Ms De Ross said. 

“I would say to everyone ‘just get along to the run’ - you can go as fast or as slow as you want, it’s a fun day and you will be supporting local projects in your community.”

Registrations for the Fun Runs are $20 for adults and $10 for children under 14. 

The Cairns event will donate half its raised funds to various local school projects and the Atherton run will donate its half to the Atherton Mens' Shed.