HUNDREDS of fit fundraisers collected more than £14,000 to help a charity provide life-changing cancer support by taking on a virtual half-marathon.

A total of 400 people pounded the streets as part of The Robin Cancer Trust’s Colchester Virtual Half-Marathon last month.

The event, supported by Running Colchester, featured participants of all abilities with some completing the 13.1 miles in one go, others in small chunks and some even walking over a weekend.

The Robin Cancer Trust was founded by the Freeman family in 2012 following the tragic death of Robin Freeman, aged just 24, from a late-stage cancer diagnosis.

The half-marathon was a milestone for the charity, which has lost £150,000 income during the pandemic, as it was its first big virtual fundraiser.

Toby Freeman, Robin’s brother and chief executive officer of The Robin Cancer Trust, said: “We are absolutely delighted with the amount raised which will help fund our life-saving cancer services and educational programmes.

“We’re also delighted to have delivered our first virtual event with so much success, bringing together a community of walkers, joggers and runners, and seeing people achieve their goals has been truly humbling.

“After a very tough year for all of us, it was a fantastic way to celebrate what we can achieve together - even in a socially distanced world.”

Cash raised from the marathon will be used for digital awareness campaigns, online cancer education programmes and support services for young men and women affected by germ cell cancer.

Jennifer Kaye, of Running Colchester, said: “Running Colchester were delighted to be part of the event, with many taking in part of the official Colchester half route and some finishing in Abbey Fields, where fellow runners Cara and Yvonne cheered on runners and displayed the club banner.

“It was wonderful to see so many of the community taking on the challenge for Robin Cancer Trust”, with some even running their first half marathon to help raise a phenomenal amount of money for a fantastic charity.”