A MOTHER is well on her way to hitting a £10,000 target for a cancer charity in memory of her husband.

Sarah Thompson ran the London Marathon and then organised a village fun run in Aynho.

Sarah, along with her children Sandy, 12, and Saskia, ten, hope to raise £10,000 for Leukaemia Research in memory of husband and father, Andrew, who died from the disease in 2007, aged 53.

Three different races were held at Aynho Sports Field and attracted more than 120 people.

Under sevens took part in a fun run where they had to try and beat Sandy, who had dressed as a banana.

Elsewhere there was a two-mile flat road and field course and a five-mile cross-country course across the fields from Aynho to Charlton.

The day raised £500 for the charity.

Mrs Thompson, 44, said: “It was a really fun day and it was fantastic that so many came out to raise money in Andrew’s memory.

“Everybody had a great time and we’ve already been asked if we can do it again next year.

“We were unfortunate with the rain but luckily we had a supply of plastic ponchos for competitors and spectators that came in handy.”

She added: “The children miss their devoted daddy.

“If we could, through our fundraising for Leukaemia Research, help to ensure that other children in the future don’t suffer a similar loss, then that will be a fitting tribute to Andrew.

“Really the best we can achieve is to save the life of someone else’s daddy.”

Rugby and Northampton Athletic Club’s Angela Copson, the fastest British woman over 60 to run a marathon after finishing the London Marathon in 3 hours, 15 minutes, presented awards.