A PREGNANT woman took on the ultimate running challenge in memory of her cousin who was killed in 2004.

Sarah Hammond, 33, ran the London Marathon on Sunday to raise funds for the London Air Ambulance.

Sarah, who is a member of Halstead Road Runners, said she has always wanted to do something to support the air ambulance after the charity helped cousin Bernard Hegarty 15 years ago.

Bernard was an architect working in Bethnal Green when he was mugged and stabbed during his lunch break.

Sarah said: “You can just imagine it – it’s a sunny day in August and he’s out for lunch and he was mugged and stabbed in his heart.

“It was a busy high street and people stopped to help and the air ambulance came.

“They had literally cut his heart. It was about as dramatic as it can get.”

Sarah said the difference the air ambulance made meant her cousin could pass away with dignity in hospital rather than on the street.

Paramedics performed open heart surgery on Bernard by the side of the road.

Sarah said: “Imagine how stressful open heart surgery on a pavement must be and what courage and training that must take?”

Because of the surgery paramedics performed, Bernard was taken to hospital where his parents and siblings could sit by his side.

Sarah said: “I didn’t realise how many people came and saw him in hospital, 65 people visited in one day.

“It made a huge difference. I always thought I would and should do something and when they emailed Halstead Running Club I thought ‘You know what, yes’.”

When Sarah signed up to the marathon she didn’t realise she was pregnant with her second child.

Now 22 weeks pregnant, she did not let that stop her taking part in her seventh marathon.

She said: “It was hard but it was really good.”

Initially she was hoping to beat her personal best of 4h 33min, but after finding out she was pregnant Sarah said the plan was just to “finish uninjured”.

She said: “It would be pretty embarrassing to be running for the air ambulance and need their services.”

Sarah completed the London Marathon in 5h 55m and has raised £3,130 for the London Air Ambulance.

To donate to Sarah’s fundraising page visit uk.virginmoneygiving.com/SarahFrost8.