FOURTEEN determined runners pounded the streets of the capital in aid of Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice, as Sunday, October 3 saw the return of the London Marathon.

Another 13 took part virtually, running the 26.2 miles at a location of their own choice, as this option was offered again this year by the marathon organisers.

In total, all Phyllis Tuckwell’s runners have so far raised more than £26,000, with sponsor money still coming in!

Caroline and niece Joanna Finill, Farnham Rants’ founder Lee Moran and his brothers Charlie Dawkins and Jamie Burmingham, Victoria Kay, Rachel Richardson, Jamie Brewer, Natalie Pollard, Chris Buckle, Margot Applebee, Lindsey Peleman-Humber, Eleanor Dunn and Jo Beck, who is one of Phyllis Tuckwell’s clinical nurse specialists, all ran the marathon in London.

Jo and Ian Ledlie, Chelsea Taylor, Jon Franklin-Ferrar, Sarah Sewell, Claire and David Osborn, John Applebee, Sharon and Kevin Shoppee, Simon Russell, Tom Clayton, and Anna Fraser, who is a volunteer doctor at Phyllis Tuckwell, all ran the virtual marathon - and all raised money to support Phyllis Tuckwell.

"We would like to thank all our amazing runners for their hard work and dedication, and for choosing to support Phyllis Tuckwell," said Fiona Chapman, events fundraiser at Phyllis Tuckwell.

"All our runners were fantastic and it was great to see those who took part in the London event as they crossed the finish line - all with big smiles on their faces!"

Chris Finill, who is Joanna Finill’s dad and Caroline Finill’s brother, is a member of the Everpresent group who have run every London marathon since it began.

Chris regularly attends Phyllis Tuckwell presentation evenings and gives advice to those running the marathon for Phyllis Tuckwell, one of whom this year was his daughter!

To keep the London event as socially distanced as possible, start times were staggered, with runners starting between 9.30am and 11am.

Those who took on the virtual marathon ran the 26.2 miles on a route of their choice. Some were joined by friends and loved ones for some of the sections of their routes, and all were boosted by cheers from local people as they passed by.

All the money raised will go directly towards helping fund the supportive and end-of-life care which Farnham-based charity Phyllis Tuckwell provides for patients and families living with an advanced or terminal illness, such as cancer, in west Surrey and north-east Hampshire.

Every day it supports more than 250 patients, relatives and carers - in their own homes, in the community, at the hospice in Farnham and at the Beacon Centre in Guildford - but as the NHS and government usually covers only about 20 per cent of its costs, it has to raise more than £25,000 a day to be able to offer all its services, which it gives free of charge to its patients and their families.

To find out more about raising money to support Phyllis Tuckwell, visit the charity’s website at www.pth.org.uk