THE owner of a restaurant and hotel in Great Totham has successfully completed the London Marathon and raised nearly £16,000 for the Starlight Foundation.

David Milne, owner of The Bull and Willow Room in Great Totham, completed the marathon on April 24 with his son Alex and daughter Laura in four hours 23 minutes, finishing in the top 50% of the runners.

David took over ownership of the Bull and Willow Room in 2010, and has for many years been a strong supporter of the Starlight Foundation.

The Foundation grants wishes to seriously and terminally ill children, aiming to distract children from the pain, fear and isolation they feel as a result of their illness.

Through David and the team at The Bull and Willow Room’s hard efforts, they have raised an amazing £14,000 through raffles, charity cricket events, quiz nights and dinner events.

This added to David and his children’s total of £15,788 raised for their marathon brings the total raised by the family to nearly £30,000.

David said: “On behalf of myself, Alex and Laura I would like to say a massive thank you to the customers and staff at The Bull & Willow Room for their incredible generosity.

“We will continue to support the fantastic work of Starlight Foundation and hope that our friends will continue to do the same.”

To donate to David’s cause, visit http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/DavidMilne59.