Fundraisers from across the country have raised a marathon total of more than £50k for a Warwick-based charity.

Several local runners took part in Sunday's famous London race, in support of Molly Ollys children's charity.

And for the youngest runner, 19-year-old Grace Ashwell it marks a particularly poignant anniversary, for it was four years ago to the day that she was diagnosed with Stage four Hodgkins Lymphoma.

The teenager, from Shropshire, who completed the London Marathon in just over six hours, has raised more than £3k, in aid of Molly Ollys, one of the charities which supported her during her illness, by gifting £500 worth of driving lessons.

The challenge has also signalled a return to peak fitness for Grace, who was previously forced to pull out of her place in the Team GB Handball team following news of her illness in 2022 and six-months of intensive chemotherapy.

She said: "The hardest part was the last six miles. Everything was hurting and I think my mind just took over and I was starting to question why on earth I was doing it. That was really tough.

"When I hit the 20-mile mark the Molly Ollys stand was there along with my mum and dad and sister. My supporters had spread themselves out along the route so I saw someone I knew every few miles, which really helped me.

"It's the atmosphere that gets you through and listening to the crowds. I had my name on my top and people I didn't know were screaming my name. It helps you to keep going, especially for those last few miles."

advertisement

One of the youngest runners fundraising for the chairy, was 19-year-old Grace Ashwell (second left) (image supplied)

She added: "I was thinking about how far I've come, especially when I saw family and long term friends who were there who had been with me through my illness, it made me quite emotional. Towards the end I felt so proud."

Other runners who all contributed to the charity's Marathon total were: Nic Allen, Nik Barrow and Henry Glynn, all from Stratford; Samantha Attwell and Catriona McDonald, from Redditch; David Dimmock, from Shirley; Becca Horley, from Birmingham; Lucy Puddephatt and Michael Shannon from London and James Pentland and Jamie Wright, from Wigan. Samantha, Catriona, James and Jamie were all running on behalf of Oaklands International.

Molly Ollys was established in 2011 by Rachel and Tim Ollerenshaw, from Warwick, following the death of their eight-year-old daughter Molly from a rare kidney cancer.

The charity works to support children with terminal or life-limiting illnesses and their families and help with their emotional wellbeing. As well as providing wishes, they donate therapeutic toys and books to both children directly and to hospitals throughout the UK.

The therapeutic toy lion called Olly The Brave has his own Hickman line and a detachable mane which helps to explain and normalise the effects of chemotherapy. These form part of an Olly The Brave pack that has now been handed out to more than 70 hospitals or health centres, along with a set of books from the charity's exclusive Olly The Brave series.

James Pentland and Jamie Wright (image supplied)

Rachel said: "Hardly any of these people knew each other, however in the build-up to the event and on the day itself, there was a real team spirit amongst them and a sense of shared pride to be running and raising funds for Molly Ollys.

advertisement

"We had a real mix of people, from all parts of the country and all ages. Michael being our oldest runner was full of trepidation about actually finishing the race, but now he has, really wants to do it again. And Grace was our youngest runner, taking on the monumental challenge of running the marathon just four years after being diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma and being supported by Molly Ollys.

"Another one of our younger runners Catriona was an inspiration, none more so than when she saw David struggling a little during the race and gave him a pat on the back and some words of encouragement."

She added: "Many of Team Molly Ollys had never done anything like this before. Becca for example was running her first ever marathon and only started running three years ago to help with her mental wellbeing. She was beaming throughout the race and had the best time ever with her Olly The Brave at her side.

"This was the first time Molly Ollys had a group of supporters running the race for us. We think many of the guys will be friends for life and can't thank them enough for the money they've raised to support children around the UK with life-threatening illnesses."

Catriona McDonald and Samantha Attwell (image supplied)

To continue to support Grace visit here.

For more information about Molly Ollys or to donate visit: http://www.mollyolly.co.uk/