A runner is enjoying a well-deserved rest after completing his third marathon to raise cash for worthy causes.

Stephen Heath, who works at The Brook on Broadwaters school for children with disabilities in Tottenham, ran the London Marathon on Sunday, hoping to raise at least £2,000 for charity Children with Cancer UK.

Although the 59-year-old believes he is the fittest he has ever been, he said his age got the better of him as he was unable to finish the race inside his target of five hours.

After running the London Marathon for the last three years, Mr Heath said: “I wanted to get under five hours but I realised at the seven-mile mark I wasn’t going to be able to. It was very warm and everyone was suffering from it because we weren’t used to that sort of weather.

“But this year wasn’t about me, this really was about trying to raise as much money as I could for the charity – that’s my priority.

“It’s all about the money really and was such an honour for me to run for the charity.”

The nursery nurse has already raised more than £1,400 for the charity, which is close to his heart as he works at The Brook on Broadwaters school for children with disabilities in Tottenham.

He raised £2,662.20 for play equipment for the school in last year’s marathon and £1,740.52 the previous year to take children at William C Harvey Special School on a day trip to Southend.

Although the warm weather made completing the 26.2 mile route a little more tricky, he said he enjoyed the camaraderie of seeing other people running for the same children’s charity – who he could spot by their T-shirts.

Mr Heath, who is suffering from aches and pains today, said: “My age got the better of me a little bit.

"It was quite sunny, I was still on target at the half-way stage but my legs were aching – I was really suffering which was strange because I’m the lightest and fittest I’ve ever been.”

Although his head is telling him not to run again next year, he said it is likely he will take part but will not go up against the clock.