MARATHON runners have raised thousands of pounds to support worthy causes.

Mum Gemma Nelson, 28, from Colchester, raised more than £300 for the Sick Children’s Trust which supported her and husband, Jamie, when their daughter Pollyanna was ill.

Pollyanna, who is now two, suffered congenital diaphragmatic hernia when she was 12 weeks old.

Her diaphragm had failed to form correctly and had allowed her bowels and intestines to move into her chest cavity.

She was transferred Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge and underwent lifesaving surgery to move her intestine back into her abdomen and repair her diaphragm.

Gemma and Jamie stayed at Acorn House near the hospital during her treatment.

Gemma completed the Greater Manchester Marathon in four hours and 20 minutes.

She said: “I wanted to do something that was a real challenge and would enable me to give something back.

“Pollyanna was only given a 50 per cent chance of surviving the operation and having somewhere to stay free of charge during this terrible time alleviated a lot of pressure and meant we could be by her side in just a few minutes.

“I’ve never run a marathon before and, although it was a real challenge, I loved every minute of it and the training I did with Pollyanna in the buggy paid off.”

Colchester dad Dave Waterman completed the marathon for Action Medical Research.

The 46-year-old company director crossed the line in just under five hours, despite having major back surgery in 2016. He had a target of £3,000.

He said: “Just to be physically able to take on a run like this is tremendous. I’m exhausted but exhilarated at the same time.

“Being a dad, it’s sobering to think about all the work Action does to raise funds for research into various childhood illnesses and conditions.

“For me, being able to have fun running while raising money for a great cause is a win-win.”

On Saturday, July 14 he will be taking part in the Trek The Night: South Downs Way, and in September he will cycle more than 100 miles as part of the Essex100.

Phil Poulter, 47, from Colchester, ran the London Marathon in memory of his grandfather and grandmother who both had Parkinson’s disease.

He finished the race in four hours and 29 minutes and has raised £2,600 for Parkinson’s UK.

He joined a 220-strong team of runners of all abilities who chose to support the charity.

Parkinson’s UK hopes to raise more than £325,000 from the event so it can continue with its vital research work to find better treatments and a cure.

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