Soldier Keith Jones's idea of celebrating his 40th birthday was to run the London Marathon and help a girl suffering from cancer.

Keith Jones with Amy Young

"I explained to my wife that I'd applied to run the marathon as a special birthday treat for myself," said Mr Jones, who lives in Bicester.

When his entry was confirmed, Mr Jones wanted a cause to make the birthday run even more worthwhile.

He said: "My confirmation in December coincided with an Oxford Mail article about a young girl, Amy Young, who switched on the town's Christmas lights. Amy, aged seven, had been diagnosed as having Ewins Sarcoma, a rare bone disease.

"In the previous 10 months Amy had various treatments including blood transfusions, chemotherapy and a major bone operation."

Keith decided to run in aid of Amy, of Austen Walk, Bicester, and raised £2,100 in sponsorship, which he handed over to Amy and her mother Sue on Wednesday, May 8.

Keith's money will go towards a fund Mrs Young and her husband Vince have set up to buy a caravan or chalet at a holiday location so that families in similar circumstances can take breaks.

Mrs Young said: "We are going ourselves to see what there is at the Cotswold Water Centre, near Cirencester.

"We want somewhere that is within about a hour's drive of the John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, so that if any family had a medical emergency while on holiday they could easily reach help. We are very grateful for Keith's donation."

So far about £13,000 has been raised, while other money-making events are planned.

Amy, who still walks with the aid of crutches, continues to make progress and has finished a course of chemotherapy.

She will still have to undergo regular checks for five years to ensure the cancer that started in her leg has not spread elsewhere.