A FIRST-time marathon runner has conquered sweltering conditions to raise more than £4,000 for meningitis research.

Chloe Reeves, 23, of Shalford, completed the London Marathon in under five hours for Meningitis Now after a family scare.

In 2011, her eight month old half-sister contracted a form of the illness but thankfully survived and made a full recovery.

Chloe said: "We are well aware that so many other families have not been as fortunate as us and the side effects or results are far more dramatic and devastating to all concerned.

"So this is why I ran the marathon.

"Firstly, to help Meningitis Now in their efforts funding research and raising awareness of this awful illness.

"Secondly, to help them fund and support families that are far less fortunate then we were.

"And thirdly, to prove to myself that I can put those distressing memories behind me and, even though I could just about run a bath before I started training, if my little sister at the age of 8 months had the strength to fight this off, then for me to find the strength to run a marathon it's a small hurdle to cross in comparison."

To donate visit virginmoneygiving.com and search for Chloe Reeves.