In an inspiring display of perseverance, Sandown resident, Sarah Tyrell-Jones, took to the streets to run the London Marathon, not just to challenge her own limits, but for a cause close to her heart – to combat breast cancer.

Sarah’s involvement with the cause comes from a personal battle, when she relied on breast cancer services in 2016. Determined to give back, she has since committed herself to raising funds to support others facing similar challenges.

This marathon, her fourth, saw Sarah add £2,500 to her impressive fund-raising total, which now stands at £46,000,

The run certainly tested her limits. It was at the 19-mile marker, after passing the iconic Tower Bridge, that Sarah faced her toughest moment, hitting the proverbial runner’s wall. But the sight of Buckingham Palace revitalised her and gave her a second wind, pushing her through to the finish line.

She finished in a time of 6h 55m 55s, a time she jokingly attributes to very lengthy loo queues and her penchant for picking up snacks and smiling at everyone and everything along the course.

A constant source of support was her husband, Craig, who met her at various points along the route to cheer her on. “Sarah always had a smile on her face, wherever I saw her,” he said. Her colleagues at the Ocean View Hotel in Shanklin are also incredibly proud of her acheivements and lots of her fundraising has taken place there.

This achievement marks more than just a personal milestone for Sarah. It is another step towards her ambitious and deeply personal goal – to hit the £50,000 mark before her 50th birthday later this year.