Radlett mother Nicola Hattingh raised around £6,000 for Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital in the Flora London Marathon.

The designer from Common Lane ran to say 'thank you' to the hospital which treated her five-year-old Natasha, when she had suspected cancer.

Following treatment for a growth on her neck, the youngster was given the all-clear in January last year.

Mrs Hattingh, 35, ran her first marathon with her trainer, Lynne Moreno, 26.

She said the "fantastic" crowd had confirmed her faith in human nature. "After 22 miles I got the stitch, but the crowd really helped. It was a really humbling experience.

"We were hoping to finish in five hours. Lynne went on to finish in 5hrs 6mins, and I finished in 5hrs 22mins.

"I called Lynne the locust, because she ate for the whole 26 miles: oranges, sweets, biscuits and sandwiches!"

In February, Mrs Hattingh said she hoped to raise between £2,000 and £10,000 and appealed to Borehamwood Times readers to pledge donations.

"Now we would just like to say a big thank you to everybody who supported us, especially residents and businesses in Radlett," she added.

Runners connected to Borehamwood Athletic Club clocked up respectable times on Sunday.

Chairman/secretary Pauline Poole said the runners were delighted with their achievement, and added she was very proud of them.

First to finish was Judy Brown, in 3hrs 21mins, followed by John Byrne in 3hrs 59mins, MicK Abrahams in 4hrs 40mins.

Jane Abbott, running her first London Marathon, also finished in 4hrs 40mins.

Pauline Poole added anyone interested in running in Borehamwood half marathon on June 15 this year can pick up an entry form from the Borehamwood Times office.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000.Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.