Steve Langmead, from Burnham on Crouch, has raised £1,900 for BEN after running his first marathon. Steve started running with the Dengie 100 Runners earlier this year and decided to attempt a marathon as a personal challenge. However, a week before the marathon, my husband Don Black, a friend of Steve's, lost his brave 6 year battle with a rare cancer.

Don was diagnosed with pseudomyxoma peritini, a one-in a millions cancer, a month after his 40th birthday . This was followed by three major operations , intense chemotherapy and a search across the country to find a Doctor that could help. The search took Don and I to Broomfield, Southend, Basingstoke and Christie Hospitals before being informed that nothing more could be done, and that we were sitting on a time bomb. But Don was not prepared to give up on life, our amazing children, myself or our friends. Don then became a greater inspiration to anyone that was fortunate enough to cross his path, giving them love, laughter and hope until he lost his battle.

One of Don's biggest loves was cars. He worked for Lookers (Volvo) and was fortunate enough to receive a great deal of practical emotional and financial support from BEN - the automotive charity www.ben.org.uk . So Steve decided to run the marathon as an opportunity to raise some money for BEN so they can continue to help other s who find themselves in the same situation.

Steve, who finished the New Forest Marathon in a superb time of 4hrs 23 mins, was hoping to raise £1,000 but the generosity of friends, family and colleagues meant this target was reached in just a few days.

Steve's fundraising website is still open, so if you would like to donate, please visit www.justgiving.com/Steve-Langmead

To those of you that have given so generously and supported me and my children I thank you all. Don was my inspiration and I hope this will give everyone a little bit of hope.