An Old Catton family are still recovering from Sunday's London Marathon after raising more than �1,000 for a charity especially close to their hearts.

Melanie Claxton, 55, and daughter Rachael, 29, ran the 26.2 miles in scorching heat to raise funds and awareness for The Prostate Cancer Charity.

That is because Melanie's husband Michael was diagnosed with prostate cancer nine years ago, when he was just 46, and was then successfully treated for the disease.

Every year 10,000 men die from prostate cancer and 37,000 men are diagnosed with the disease.

It was Rachael's fourth successive year, finishing in a personal best 4.16 hours. It was Melanie's first, having unsuccessfully applied for the ballot the last three years, and she finished in 4.56 hours.

Speaking after she completed the race, Melanie said: 'I'm so proud to have completed my first ever marathon and help raise funds for The Prostate Cancer Charity.

'My running club, Norwich Road Runners, has been fantastic in helping me to prepare for my big day, and the support from my family and friends on the day, especially from Michael, made all the difference.'

Rachael added that she was delighted to have run the marathon for a cause that had such a big effect on her father, whose own plans to run the race were ended by a knee injury.

She said: 'I'm really proud of how we did and if it makes even one man get his prostate checked then it was all worth it.

'I'm feeling the pain now but it was better than the first time I did it because I've been hindered by injury before but this time I set a personal best even though I had some asthma problems.'

Gemma Cornwell, head of community fundraising at The Prostate Cancer Charity, added: 'We're absolutely thrilled that Melanie and Rachael crossed the finish line after many months training hard.

'Our team of marathon runners are the largest we've ever had, and it's thanks to Melanie, Rachael and all our dedicated runners that so far they have raised �100,000. We estimate that the final amount raised will be an incredible �330,000.'

Have you got a personal story behind your fundraising effort? Contact reporter David Freezer on 01603 772418 or email david.freezer@archant.co.uk.