Saint Francis Hospice is thanking all of the people who ran the London Marathon on Sunday on behalf of the charity.

Around 50 people ran the marathon to raise money for the hospice and more than £40,000 has already been raised.

Lauren Josman, the hospice’s events manager, said: “From the pledges I have seen I am confident that we will achieve our target of raising £75,000 towards patient care thanks to all the amazing efforts of our runners.”

Among the runners who took part in the gruelling 26.2 mile run was Paul Freedman MBE from Hornchurch.

He was the oldest runner in the marathon for the third time and he was interviewed by BBC Sport and featured on BBC1’s The One Show.

He completed the marathon in 7 hours 44 minutes and 29 seconds, which was 3 minutes less than his time last year.

“It’s not about the time it’s about supporting the charity and the crowd pulls me through,” he said.

Aimee Bliss, of Romford, completed her second consecutive marathon this year.

She said: “My dad, Stan Bliss, who sadly passed away in August 2012, received hospice care during his last week. From the nurses, doctors to the receptionists the support everyone showed my dad and family during this time made everything that little more bearable.”

Ben Theakstone and his dad Ian, both from Chigwell, ran in memory of Darren Stevens who was cared for by Saint Francis Hospice in 2012.

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