Friends run marathon and raise £4,000 for Sara Lee Trust

Maria Gonet from The Sara Lee Trust said she was "absolutely thrilled" to collect the cheque totalling 4,000.10 from Ashley McFaite and Amber Hoad, which they had raised in sponsorship donations after completing the marathon.

Neither Amber, nor Ashley, had run a full marathon before, and Amber said: "It was a good day; physically and mentally painful but enjoyable."

Vetinary nurse Amber, who works at local vetinary centre Greensleaves, completed the marathon in 5 hours 12 minutes, and Ashley, a highways inspector for Hastings Borough Council,ran the 26 mile, 385 yards in 5 hours.

The energetic pair received plenty of support from family and friends who hired a 52 seater coach for the occasion.

On presenting the cheque to Maria, Amber and Ashley said they would like to "say a big thank you" to everyone who supported them, and in particular to Tivoli Auto Services who kindly rounded the total up to 4000.

The additional '10p' was the interest accrued in the trustee savings account.

Maria added: "We are so thrilled by the amount that Amber and Ash have been able to raise - they have worked so hard on our behalf and we are so grateful.

"The money will be used to provide urgently needed care and support to the patients referred to us."

The Sara Lee Trust provides complementary therapies, creative arts therapies, counselling and sanctuary days to patients living with Cancer, Motor Neurone Disease or HIV/Aids living in Hastings, Rother and Rye.

For further information visit the website at: www.saraleetrust.org