‘I really started to think about mum and the reason I was out there running’

George Orton ran the London marathon on Saturday to raise funds for charity Breast Cancer Now, after his mum, Sue, was diagnosed with the disease.

Despite the unseasonally sunny weather and dodgy knees he managed to get across the line in three hours and 50 minutes.

‘I was really happy to go sub four, especially with the heat,’ he said.

‘It was a great atmosphere but the last miles were hard and a mixture of hobbling and running got me over the line.

‘When I was digging deep I really started to think about mum and the reason I was out there running.’

His mum, along with his dad and brother had all made the trip to London and were there to cheer him on through the hardest parts.

‘They were spread out and were dotted around the long miles around Canary Wharf, which really kept me going,’ he said.

‘My mum was really proud afterwards, but she also wanted to make sure I passed on her thanks to all the staff on the Bulstrode Ward, who helped her during her treatment.’

She has urged islanders to make sure they go for regular screenings.

Mr Orton suffers from a condition called patella maltracking, which meant he had to build up his training very gradually.

‘The knees held up fairly well,’ he said.

‘They’re feeling incredibly stiff today, but all things considered, they pulled through quite well.’

Mr Orton has now raised almost four times his original £1,000 goal, but was keen to make it over the £4,000 mark.

‘A massive thank you to everyone who has contributed so far I’m really hopeful,’ he said.

‘But its not too late to donate.’

Donate via Mr Orton’s JustGiving page.