A GP has raised more than £7,500 for a blood cancer charity after he ran the London Marathon in memory of his late colleague.

Dr Christian Odgen, a GP at Stanwell Surgery in Penarth, ran the marathon in memory of his colleague, Dr Jonathan Evans.

Dr Evans died aged 54 in March last year, which was a shock to his colleagues, especially Dr Ogden, who had worked with him for 11 years.

Speaking about his colleague, Dr Ogden said: “He had been a partner at the practice for almost 25 years, five of them as senior partner.

"He was known as a kind GP, who always had a smile on his face and was very well liked by all his patients and staff.

“He could often be seen at the yacht club or at his allotment, when not seeing patients or running the practice.

“Losing Jonathan left a huge hole in the lives of his family, colleagues and patients as well as the greater community of Penarth.

"Running to raise funds for Anthony Nolan in Jonathan’s memory has allowed people to feel that they are respecting his contribution to their lives by doing something positive for others.

"Anthony Nolan have been an incredible charity to raise funds for, supporting me all the way.”

The doctor then decided to run the marathon as a tribute to his friend, and to give their patients an opportunity to remember him by contributing to Anthony Nolan.

Through tackling the marathon the GP has raised more than £7,000 and said he is delighted to have ran in memory of his colleague.

Dr Ogden said: “I have been touched and humbled by the support I have received, and this buoyed me through some difficult training runs and on the day itself, where the heat was unbearable at times.

“I’m not planning on running another marathon in the near future - I think I will stick to halfs for the sake of my family, or possibly get on my bike or swim more - but you never know.

“The generosity of my patients, colleagues, family and friends has been truly astonishing and knowing that all these people were behind me made the marathon a very emotional day.”

Dr Ogden’s fundraising continues until May 22.

Visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/christian-ogdenor or you can donate via Stanwell Surgery.