CHARITIES are thousands of pounds richer thanks to the heroic efforts of London Marathon runners from across north Essex.

Hundreds of runners from the area took on the 26.2-mile challenge to test their stamina and raise cash for worthy causes.

Barry Sippitt, 29, of Great Clacton, completed the race with a giant testicle strapped to his back to raise awareness of testicular cancer.

He was running in aid of Cancer Research, and agreed to complete the race wearing the testicle at the suggestion of a friend and cancer survivor.

Barry raised £900 for the cause with the help of employer Vodafone.

Hauling the testicle on his back slowed him down and he finished the marathon in seven hours and 38 minutes.

He said: “It was a bit of a slog, especially after my knee went around mile seven. But I got round, finished and got my medal.

“Carrying the testicle was a game changer. It moved around a lot and after three or four hours, my neck and back were seizing up.

“It added about an hour to my time from last year, but I was just happy to get round and at the end my family were there to see me finish.”

Mel Leslie, 42, praised the support of the crowd as she raised more than £1,700 for Whizz Kids, a disabled children’s charity.

She said: “The support from the crowds and encouragement you get is like nothing I have experienced before.

“Seeing friends and family in the crowd as well is really emotional. It was a truly unforgettable day.”

Mel, who grew up in Sible Hedingham and now lives in Bocking, completed it in five hours and 45 minutes.

Alice Wotton, 19, a make-up artist and dressage rider, raised more than £1,100 for Children with Cancer UK and the Smile of Arran Trust.

She finished the marathon in five hours and 36 minutes.

Alice, of Pebmarsh, said: “It was the hardest thing I have ever done physically.

“I was fine up until mile 17, and then cramp set in and the last five miles were the hardest.

“The crowd was amazing and pushed me through.”

A trio of runners has raised £4,600 between them.

Emily Rayner and husband Lee, 33, a precision engineer, completed the marathon in four hours 14 minutes.

Emily, 30, a drug and alcohol counsellor for the Children’s Society, said: “We are absolutely chuffed to bits with our time.

“The marathon was an amazing absolutely incredible experience.

“We have raised just short of £3,500 for our charity which was for Mid Essex Hospitals' new bereavement suite.

“It was one of the best experiences of our lives - up there with our wedding day.”

Emily’s dad, Keith Thorogood, 62, raised £1,100 for Farleigh Hospice in his 45th marathon.

Air cadet officer Flight Lieutenant Sean Purcell, from the Witham and Rivenhall Squadron, completed his first London Marathon and raised more than £1,000 for Sense, a national charity which supports and campaigns for children and adults who are deafblind or have sensory impairments.

Vicki Wellington, from Rayne, ran in memory of her mother who died from cancer.

She said: “I’d be lying if I said I enjoyed it but luckily didn’t hit the infamous wall and had an army of lovely friends and family cheering me on.

“It’s the hardest thing I’ve ever done but so worth it for all the sponsorship money that has been so kindly donated, and sure my mum was watching and cheering me on.”

Mum Kayleigh Boyes spent her 30th birthday running the London Marathon. She completed the course in four hours and 35 minutes and raised more than £2,000 for Whizz-Kidz, a disabled children’s charity.

And Anita Grainger, 45, from Witham, raised more than £1,000 in memory of her dad.

Anita ran for Parkinson’s UK and completed the challenge in three hours and 58 minutes.