ONE thing kept Army Major David Young going when he took part in the London Marathon was the knowledge six charities would benefit if he completed the course.

On Friday Maj Young who lives in Wootton Rivers was joined by his five year old daughter, Tara, when he handed over a cheque for £1,500 to the East Wiltshire Society for the Mentally Handicapped. It was received by chairman Vera Hamblin and treasurer Bryan Castle.

Tara attends the Starworld special needs unit at St Mary's School in Marlborough which was another charitiy to benefit. Other charities to benefit were The Osteopathic Centre, National Children's Homes, Devizes Opportunity Centre and Scope.

Maj Young serves with the Royal Dragoon Guards but is currently working at Upavon with the Army training command. He said that although he trained for the marathon he found it tough going . He finished in four hours 25 minutes "at half the speed of the winner."

Maj Young, whose wife Fiona and younger daughter Emma, one, joined him at Friday's presentation, said: "The staggering support for Tara's charities provided all the motivation I needed to finish.''