Following on from his efforts at this year's Flora London Marathon, our reporter Owen Philips is now entering the second phase of his fundraising quest.

He now has to convince sponsors to part with their cash. If everyone coughs up, more than £1,600 will go to the Croydon Sutton & District Spastics Society - though there is still time to donate more.

Owen, who completed the run three and a half hours after the winners, was relieved to have finished. He said: "It's a great feeling to have finished but I would have liked to have done it a bit quicker! Even so, the only reason I managed it all was because of the training at Trainers' Gym in Wallington.

"Before January I had not run more than three miles so I am extremely grateful for all the help and advice, as well as the financial assistance." If you would like to make a late donation call 0181 770 2215.

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