Hospital thanks all their Marathon runners

including 10 local residents

10 local people where among 21 runners who completed the Flora London Marathon on Sunday 18 April, to raise valuable funds for the Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability. The times achieved ranged from 2:50.09 to 7:11.28.

Lolo Leyenda and Steve Woollard both work for the hospital on West Hill, Putney. Steve, a physiotherapist, was the fastest of the local runners finishing in 3:20:34, while Lolo, who was taking part in his 16th marathon for the hospital, completed the 26.2-mile course in 3:27:27.

PC Simon Palmer and Sgt Dick Barton from Wandsworth Borough Police were also among those who ran for the hospital. Simon managed to finish in 4:59:04, despite wearing full riot gear for the race!

Other local runners were Paul Cooke and Antony Lawrence of Putney, Roderick Day of Southfields and David Flitton of Wandsworth.

Paula Little and her fiancé Howie Fine (seen left) of Putney finished in 3:43:00 and 4:30:09 respectively. Paula's achievement is even more impressive as she also ran the Paris Marathon in aid of the hospital just two weeks ago

In total the hospital's team raised approximately £45,000. They also received £1000 in sponsorship from Russell Cooke Solicitors, which paid for running vests and other costs.

Gaz Daly, Director of Fundraising at the hospital said: "Running a marathon is a great achievement and we are very proud that these runners chose to support the Royal Hospital in this way. As a charity we rely on public support, so huge thanks go to all the runners and those who supported them, especially our sponsors, Russell Cooke."

April 21, 2004