WORCESTERSHIRE runners put their best foot forward to raise thousands of pounds for charity by tackling the famous London Marathon.

They pounded the streets of the capital over the legendary 26.2-mile route.

Among them were Worcester’s Bertie Ballinger who took on the challenge in support of Sense.

The charity supports people who are deafblind or have a hearing or vision impairment and another disability and it campaigns for the rights of disabled people in the UK.

Bertie said: “I chose this charity because my dad had previously raised money for them when he cycled from Vietnam to Cambodia so I already had a connection to the charity.

“I have so far raised over £1,000 through various fundraising events such as coffee mornings and history talks at The Hive.

“I ran the marathon in three hours 48 minutes (33 seconds), a time that I am very proud to achieve.

“This was my first marathon and London had such an amazing and unique atmosphere.

“I had never experienced such an event in my life.

“I have until May 21 to raise as much money as possible and will be looking to put on more events in the coming weeks.

“While I have always been a runner, it wasn’t until I joined the Black Pear Joggers that I really began to see improvements.

“They are such a brilliant Worcester-based running club and have helped me to improve so much through training and encouragement.”

Bertie has so far raised more than £1,100 at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/bertie-ballinger

Worcester’s Reanne Hulett completed the London Marathon in memory of her mother Alison who died in 2022 aged 50.

She is raising money for Mind charity which offers information and advice to people with mental health problems and lobbies government and local authorities on their behalf.

Reanne, who originally hails from Ross-on-Wye, has had more than £2,800 donated on her fundraising page at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/reannehulett

She said on her page: “The hundreds of miles in training and the 26.2 miles on the day will be for my mum and every other person who struggles daily with their own battles in the hope that less and less families go through what we have — indescribable sadness and grief but also guilt, anger, confusion and everything else we’ve felt since that day.

“I’d love to raise as much as I can in her memory and her name for a charity I know first-hand benefits so many people.

“I’ve used Mind a few times over the last few months and the advice/support I’ve received I’ll be forever grateful for.

“Everyone knows I’m not a runner, or an exerciser, but I promised her in 2019 I’d do London again for her when the time came, never expecting it so soon.

“This will be my second and last London Marathon and I can’t think of a better charity or person to run for.”

Reanne, who clocked five hours 34 minutes 23 seconds, said running the marathon was a “surreal day”.

Pershore’s Claire Elston supported the RSPCA Worcester and Mid-Worcestershire Branch with her successful London Marathon effort of five hours 35 minutes 37 seconds.

She was running in memory of her cat Monkey.

At Claire’s request, RSPCA staff have been drawing up lists of items that the animals need.

Claire, who runs with Pershore Plum Plodders, is still raising money at www.justgiving.com/page/claire-elston-1710448385593 where more than £1,500 has been donated so far.

The RSPCA branch said on Facebook: “Such an incredible achievement, we’re sure you’ll agree, and for (if we do say so ourselves!) a very worthy cause! We hope that Claire is putting her feet up and enjoying a well-deserved rest.”

Meanwhile, Evesham postman Duncan Day, 56, completed the distance in five hours 15 minutes 51 seconds.

He has raised more than £2,100 for Health Poverty Action at 2024tcslondonmarathon.enthuse.com/pf/duncan-day

Worcester’s Dr Lara James clocked six hours three minutes 55 seconds.

She has raised more than £1,100 so far for the audiology department at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham, at 2024tcslondonmarathon.enthuse.com/pf/lara-james

Another Worcester runner Steve Winfield did three hours 56 minutes 58 seconds and has so far raised around £2,900 for the NSPCC at 2024tcslondonmarathon.enthuse.com/pf/steve-winfield

Worcester’s Phil Causer, who finished the run in five hours 56 minutes 18 seconds, is also supporting the NSPCC with more than £2,200 raised at 2024tcslondonmarathon.enthuse.com/pf/phil-causer

Jane Gordijn ran five hours 16 minutes 20 seconds in support of HEART UK - The Cholesterol Charity with more than £2,600 raised at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/janegordijn