A woman who runs the Camborne based dog charity Canine Crusaders has completed the Flora London Marathon and has so far raised over £1,000 for Macmillan Nurses.

Sue Smith, who tirelessly works to make sure unwanted dogs in Cornwall have homes, finished the marathon in 6 hours and 38 minutes despite the overall temperature on the day being 27 degrees centigrade.

Sue said: "It was the hottest marathon on record but I completed it, and it was one of the hardest but greatest experiences of my life. I am over the moon and I have quite a boosted ego now."

Sue ran the marathon in memory of her close friend David Martin, who ran the Noah's Ark pet shop in Redruth before he died of Cancer in October last year.

David and his family had been looked after by Macmillan Nurses during his illness and Sue decided that they were such a worthy charity that she would give all of her sponsorship money to the cause.

Sue described how during the marathon people were "dropping like flies" because of the extreme heat and that at one point they ran out of water.

"After 18 miles every step burned but all the support you get from the crowd just keeps you going. I didn't stop smiling all the way through apart from the last six miles, they really hurt.

"I did suffer but it was only temporary pain. If you compare that to the pain that Dave's family must go through every day, a marathon is nothing in comparison," Sue added.

So far Sue has raised over £1,000 for the charity but is aiming to raise £2,000 and has until June to do so. If anyone would like to make a donation they can visit www.justgiving.com/greenfairy or call on 01209 717512.