Congratulations go to Melton runners who completed Robin Hood Marathon and Half Marathon

Among them were Melton friends Dani Woodward and Amy Parr who were running in aid of Heart Link and Epilepsy Action respectively.

The pair finished the half marathon together in around two hours and 17 minutes and there’s still time to sponsor them for their amazing efforts.

Amy’s brave daughter, Lillie, has faced challenges with having epilepsy and is now on medication to control her condition.

Amy, who lives in Halifax Drive and works at Melton’s Latham House Medical Practice as a care co-ordinator, wanted to do something to support a charity which helps other families get through troubling times with epilepsy.

She said: “Running the Robin Hood Half Marathon was such an amazing experience. The route was far hillier and tougher than I had anticipated. I’m so grateful to Dani for all the support and for being by my side over the finish line. I couldn’t have got through it without her.”

At the time of going to press Amy had raised around £300 in sponsorship for Epilepsy Action, with more money still coming in. There’s still time to sponsor her via her online fundraising page at http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/amyparr

Amy’s close friend, Dani, ran her half marathon in aid of Heart Link, a charity made up of parents of children with congenital heart disease with the aim of supporting each other and raising funds for medical equipment and projects at Glenfield Hospital’s Children’s Heart Centre.

Dani’s young daughter, Poppy-May, was born with a rare heart condition and a hole in her heart. The brave youngster has had surgeries at the Glenfield and will need to have ongoing surgery for the rest of her life.

As well as raising money for Heart Link Dani is also urging families across the Melton borough to join the fight to save Glenfield Hospital’s Children’s Heart Centre from closure.

If 100,000 people sign the petition it could be debated in Parliament. It follows NHS England’s announcement in July that services should stop as the unit doesn’t meet all the requirements under agreed new commissioning standards for congenital heart disease services.

You can still sponsor Dani by visiting http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/DanielleWoodward

Sign the petition at: petition.parliament.uk/petitions/160455

l Among the local runners crossing the line in today’s Robin Hood Marathon were John Ferneley College sports ambassador Paul Jacobs and former student Joe Pope.

Paul, who was running his 100th marathon, and Joe were dressed as caped crusaders Batman (Joe) and Robin (Paul). The pair, who ran in aid of the Cystic Fibrosis Trust, finished in about four hours.

Joe said: “It was a fantastic day and it was a real privilege to be a part of it. We’d like to thank everyone for their incredible support and generosity towards the Cystic Fibrosis Trust.”

There’s still time to sponsor Paul and Joe by visiting www.virginmoneygiving.com/cfbatmanandrobin