AFTER being the 93rd woman to cross the London Marathon finish line this year, a Stourbridge fundraiser has made the much shorter distance to the headquarters of Mary Stevens Hospice.

Lucy Cambridge, a 43-year-old mum of three from Norton, finished the 26.2 mile race in astonishing fashion, coming in just shy of the 3 hour mark.

She originally hoped to use her marathon run to raise £500 for the Hagley Road charity, but her fundraising efforts saw her eclipse that target before the race had even begun.

Lucy received another wave of donations after news spread of the rapid time she was able to complete the marathon in, which is due to grow to roughly £1,850.

As owner of Stourbridge funeral directors H Porter & Sons, her firm has strong links with Mary Stevens Hospice that dates back more than 30 years, but her decision to run the marathon for the local cause was prompted by the care their nursing team are currently providing to a friend of hers from college.

She said: “Through our business, on a daily basis, we meet with people who praise Mary Stevens Hospice as an important part of our community and a tower of strength in times of need.

“At the moment, the Hospice is caring for a college friend and supporting his family too. It is the experience of him and his family that inspired me to raise funds for the hospice at this year’s London Marathon.

“I last ran a marathon nine years ago and vowed 'never again!' But for me, the hospice and all it does, was very much, worth coming out of retirement for.”

Her marathon efforts did not go unnoticed in the community, and Stevan Jackson, the hospice’s chief executive, was on hand to receive the cheque from Lucy and thank her for her incredible efforts.

Dan Malin, digital media specialist at Mary Stevens Hospice, said: “The training and dedication that goes into just finishing a marathon is pretty inspirational by itself, so for Lucy to post the time she did and raise the amount she has, has just been the most fantastic thing to support her with.

“She's already told us to keep an eye out for her next challenge, and we can't wait to see what she'll be taking on next.

“She's a fantastic woman, an incredible athlete and we're so very grateful to her for everything she's done for us, both through H Porter & Sons and as an individual.”

For more information about Mary Stevens Hospice call 01384 377 778, or visit www.marystevenshospice.co.uk