FORMER St Albans Review & Observer reporter Claire Morgans pounded the streets of London on Sunday when she competed in the gruelling Flora London Marathon.

The 28-year-old has now raised more than £1,700 for her chosen charity Visually Impaired Children Taking Action (VICTA).

"Running the London Marathon was an experience I'm never going to forget. The warm weather wasn't ideal but the thousands of supporters and atmosphere made it all worthwhile," said Claire, of Rivenhall End, in Welwyn Garden City.

"Knowing there was sponsorship at stake meant that I really pushed myself to get across that finish line and I'm so pleased I managed to complete it. I'd like to thank all those people who supported me throughout my training and on the day.

"Since I started training about 18 months ago, the London Marathon has seemed like the ultimate challenge. I knew that the training would be difficult but luckily I've had the support of my running club and have found other first time marathoners to train with.

"Seeing my friends and family in the crowds at Canary Wharf made all the difference and gave me a boost when I needed it most."

As well as funding short breaks, VICTA also pays for braille machines and specialist computers for visually impaired children to use at home.

The software helps the youngsters to reach their full educational potential and practice skills which they will use for life. The small charity relies heavily on donations from marathon runners.

Earlier this month the Hertfordshire Constabulary web manager, who finished the 26.2-mile run in an impressive 4hrs 32mins, raised £932 for VICTA during a charity quiz at Hertfordshire Police Headquarters.

For more information on VICTA visit www.victa.org.uk and for more information on Welwyn Garden City's running club visit www.gardencityrunners.org.uk To sponsor Claire for her efforts in the London Marathon visit the website www.bmycharity.com/clairemorgans

  • St Albans woman Kate Benson, who finished in five hours and 39 minutes, raised more than £2,000 for the charity National Children's Homes (NCA).

The 39-year-old said: "Training for the marathon was really hard work but I knew the money raised would make a real difference to a child's life and that kept me going.

"I'm hugely grateful to everyone who sponsored me and would love to hear from any other supporters who could help me raise as much money as possible."

Myles Bremner, acting director of fundraising of the charity which helps children affected by poverty, disability, abuse or neglect, said: "Kate has done NCH proud and it's fantastic that we have the support of people like her.

"We would like to give a warm thank you to all the people who have contributed to her sponsorship."

  • Former Tottenham Hotspur and Crystal Palace footballer Dean Austin, who lives in Chiswell Green, completed the London Marathon in three hours and 54 minutes.

Mr Austin, 37, raised £3,500 for the Willow Foundation, which was founded by former Arsenal and England goalkeeper Bob Wilson in memory of his daughter Anna, who died from cancer aged 31.

He said: "I was really pleased with my time, my training had been a bit disrupted as my wife had twins nine weeks ago and she's not been very well.

"But I was lucky to have a good fitness base to work from and I made sure I was well hydrated."

Dean said he was unlikely to run the marathon again, saying: "Some people really love it, but I'd rather have 40,000 at White Hart Lane any day."

  • Surveyor Lee Davison completed the London Marathon in four hours 45 minutes, raising more than £1,700 for cancer victims.

He said: "The people I work with were really supportive and everyone in the office sponsored me, which was great.

"Training was intense as I was up at six every morning to fit running in before work.

"It would have been fantastic to improve on my time from last year but the conditions were too tough. I'll be back next year though.

"It was great fun and so far I've raised £1700 for a charity that aims to free people from cancer."

Mr Davison, who works for Property Tectonics, a building consultancy in Holywell Hill, St Albans, lives in Leighton Buzzard.

His training included running 18 miles every weekend on top of three eight-mile runs during the week.