FIRST-time marathon runners from Wyre Forest and those experienced with going the distance hit the streets of London to raise cash for their chosen causes.

Residents of the district who took part in this year's London Marathon, last month, included Bewdley PR man Stuart Henry, who is on track to hit his £2,500 fundraising target for the Reverse Rett charity.

He finished the race in five hours, 33 minutes after the heat made for a gruelling last 20 miles.

He said: "It was tough - very tough. I felt really good for the first 12 to 13 miles and it was great to see famous landmarks like the Cutty Sark, which I've only ever seen on the BBC's coverage. Just before halfway, I ran over London Bridge, which was amazing. The noise of the crowds there and in most other places is something I will always remember.

"When I hit the 20-mile mark, I knew I would finish but this was by far the hardest part, where I didn't see anyone who wasn't struggling."

Mr Henry chose Reverse Rett, which aims to speed treatments and cures for the disorder that causes physical and mental disability, in aid of two-year-old Blake McMillan, from his native Dundee, who was diagnosed with the rare meCP2 duplication syndrome two years ago.

Kidderminster man Keith Kane, 52, a lorry driver, completed the 26.2 mile distance in three hours and 17 minutes. He has passed his £1,000 mark fundraising for Kidderminster Hospitals League of Friends and the facility's Millbrook Suit, with money still rolling in.

His wife, Teresa, said: "He chose the hospital because my dad, who died last year, was treated there for his cancer and the staff were so good with him. The league of friends is done through donations and because it was a local cause and there are a lot of people using their facilities so we wanted to give a little back for what they have done for us.

"Keith runs at least one marathon a year and raises a lot of money for different charities and is always training."

There is still time to sponsor Mr Kane, by visiting virginmoneygiving.com/keithkane.

Meanwhile, Stourport resident Simon Rogers, 44, has raised more than £1,350 for Parkinson's UK after running the marathon, which took place on the final day of Parkinson's awareness week.

He joined a 225-strong team of athletes running for the charity and completed the challenge in three hours and 55 minutes. A spokesman for Parkinson's UK said the charity hoped to raise more than £315,000 from the event to help continue with its research to find a cure and improve the lives of 127,000 people in the UK living with the disease.