A teacher at King’s Ely has raised almost £2,000 for a mental health charity by completing the London Marathon.

Ely Standard: Justin Smith is one of the London Marathon runners whio completed the course successfully.Justin Smith is one of the London Marathon runners whio completed the course successfully. (Image: Archant)

Claire Kyndt, director of learning development and geography teacher at King’s Ely senior, was among thousands of runners who completed the event in the hot temperature.

It is the second year she has taken part and was raising funds for MIND.

Claire, who lives in Ely, finished in 5 hours and 31 minutes, and has so far raised £1,700 in sponsorship.

She said: “It was brutal yet wonderful! It was certainly the wonderful spectators and fellow runners who pulled me through.

Ely Standard: Justin Smith is one of the London Marathon runners whio completed the course successfully.Justin Smith is one of the London Marathon runners whio completed the course successfully. (Image: Archant)

“People lose their way for a huge number of reasons and it is because of charities like MIND that many can get back on the right track.

“By supporting MIND, we are opening a dialogue where it’s okay to talk about mental health, where it’s okay to admit that you’re struggling and where it’s okay to seek help.”

Others taking part form the area were Justin Smith who ran for MACS, a charity for children born without eyes, or with underdeveloped eyes.

Justin, of Ely Runners, said: “I raised £2,500 and the total is still rising.

Ely Standard: Courtney Pettifor is one of the London Marathon runners whio completed the course successfully.Courtney Pettifor is one of the London Marathon runners whio completed the course successfully. (Image: Archant)

”The day was amazing, if rather hot. Crowds are simply epic and I even managed to spot my family at around 13 miles.”

Nicole Rushforth, 27, made this year’s event her third marathon. Two in London and one in Edinburgh.

She completed in 5 hours and 37 minutes. She was raising money for the forces charity “Tickets for Troops”.

Nicole is in the British Army and is a musician in the Grenadier Guards Band.

Ely Standard: Courtney Pettifor is one of the London Marathon runners whio completed the course successfully.Courtney Pettifor is one of the London Marathon runners whio completed the course successfully. (Image: Archant)

Courtney Pettifor was raising money for PAPYRUS Prevention of Young Suicide, in memory of his best friend Dylan Minar.

Courtney said he wanted to run to make his friend proud. It is one of a number of fund raising events in Dylan’s memory.

He said: “Another thing off my bucket list! The experience was amazing. So pleased to have raised valuable funds for PAPYRUS, and carry on the legacy of my best mate.”

It is the 38th year of the London Marathon and it is thought around 40,000 people took part.