I DID IT! I RAN THE LONDON MARATHON! I LOVED EVERY MINUTE AND NOTHING WOULD HAVE STOPPED ME RUNNING. It was incredibly hot and I got a bit carried away by the crowd, but still made it round in 5hrs 20mins. I stopped to chat to my fantastic and highly vocal supporters at miles 14 and 20 but otherwise ran all the way! The response from sponsors has been amazing and this campaign has managed to raise more than £10,250. Money is still coming in. Thank you everyone.

In case this is your first visit - thank you for coming. I ran the London Marathon this year to raise funds to fight breast cancer in response to my best and oldest friend's diagnosis of Stage IV breast cancer.

Lucy and I met at school in Suffolk 26 years ago and followed each other globe-trotting around the world before both coming to live on the same street in London. Our daughters now attend the same school and our friendship is fundamental to us both. The story of Lucy's cancer has been devastating. When Daisy, Lucy's first child was born in 2001, she had an operation to remove an ovary due to ovarian cancer. The diagnosis of advanced breast cancer followed 3 months after the birth of her second child, Phoebe, in August 05. Lucy had a mastectomy in November 05 and in January 06 learned that the cancer had spread to her liver, spine, hip and pelvis. She is now on her third hormone treatment regime, having found out in August 06 that her tumours had spread further. Her husband, Jamie, inspired hope and raised a heap of cash for breast cancer in September 06 by walking 60km. After months of repeatedly receiving bad news, in January 07 Lucy discovered that her tumours had started to respond to her current hormone therapy. 'Thank God for science!' she smiled soon after she heard the news. Those doctors are trying their hardest, but they don't have all the answers - yet. That's where the work of Breast Cancer Campaign comes in. It is because of advances in scientific research funded by charities such as BCC that it is possible to extend Lucy's life, and lives of others in similar situations. That's why, in April 06, I started running. Every donation counts towards working out the puzzle of breast cancer, understanding its causes and finding a cure for each person affected.

The Marathon is 26.2 miles long - that's one mile for each year Lucy and I have known each other. Lucy is just one of several people I now know who have received this diagnosis. Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me for my Marathon effort - Breast Cancer Campaign will receive your money faster and, if you are a UK taxpayer, an extra 28% will be added to your donation at no extra cost to you.

See classy pictures on www.belindabuckley.co.uk/Marathon 

Donating with some credit cards on this site can be frustrating due to security procedures - please persevere!!!

Special thanks to my mum Anne Buckley who's raised in excess of £700. Lucy raised £1300 from her Coffee Morning Extravaganza on 31st March. These funds are being split between this Marathon campaign and Jamie's and Suzanne Wilebore's Moonwalk for Breast Cancer. Lucy's mum, Caroline McShane, raised £811 from her Coffee Morning held on the same day! Trish held a Ladies' Night Out (In) on 30 March and raised £103!!! What fantastic fundraising xxxxx The LIVE MUSIC & COMEDY night at Ryan's Bar on 14 April was a STONKING SUCCESS with terrific performances from Graham Redwood & Tina Stevens from 00 Soul, Beskydy, Matt Isaacs and Rory Gilmore. Thank you everybody who turned up, helping to raise £1028.70!!!

MANY THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT!!! Belinda xxxxxxx