JUST 5 months after having a double mastectomy, a woman ran the Virgin London Marathon.

Mandy Neal, 61 went for a routine screening in November last year and was called back a few weeks later to be given the diagnosis of DCIS breast cancer which can only be picked up by a mammogram.

She had surgery on December 19 and following the double mastectomy, was back running just four weeks after her operation.

Mrs Neal said: “I would just like to say a huge thank you to all of you who have supported my fundraising efforts for the Worcestershire Breast Unit Haven to whom I dedicated my London Marathon place.

The Worcestershire Breast Unit is an amazing, uplifting place and the team there do awesome work which is so essential supporting people like me. They are a tiny charity so really need funds to continue the sterling work they do. I am delighted to be fundraising for them.”

Mrs Neal from Pershore ran the 26.2 mile world famous course on Sunday, April 26, completing with an official finish time of 4:42:05. She ran the race to raise money for Worcestershire Breast Unit Haven, following support from the Unit during her treatment.

So far Mrs Neal has raised £1360 for the Worcestershire Breast Unit Haven. This includes £520 from a ‘guess the time’ competition which was won by Kate Buttigieg of Pershore with the closest guess of 4:40:40. If you wish to donate, visit virginmoneygiving.com and search for Mandy Neal.

The Worcestershire Breast Unit Haven is a small independent charity based in the Worcestershire Breast Unit at Worcestershire Royal Hospital.