A STUDENT who beat a knee injury and bout of food poisoning to run his first London marathon has presented more than £1,500 to a cancer charity.
Ben Cottell, 19, from Littleton Pannell, had not been able to train two weeks before the marathon because of sickness and injury. During the race his knee swelled up and he was given massages along the way by a physiotherapist with the St John Ambulance.
Despite hobbling for seven miles he finished in a time of five hours and 50 minutes.
His effort and determination raised £1,549 for cancer charity Macmillan Cancer Relief, which he chose to support because two of his grandparents died of cancer.
Ben said: It wasn't easy but I'm glad I did it because it raised enough money for Macmillan.
Ben was persuaded to run by his friend Martin Phillips of West Lavington, who also raised money for Macmillan Cancer Relief. He was sponsored by friends, family, and staff at Safeway in Devizes and Nationwide Building Society.
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