A couple has raised thousands of pounds for charity after a marathon effort on Sunday.

Chris Lennon completed the Brighton Marathon for Endometriosis UK, a charity which has supported his wife Cat since her diagnosis in 2016.

The condition – which is estimated to affect one in 10 UK women but often goes undiagnosed for years – sees cells usually lining the womb spread to other parts of the body, often affecting vital organs and causing insufferable pain.

Cat, who is from Stevenage and works at the Comet and Royston Crow office as Archant group SEO editor, has Stage IV (severe) endometriosis – with her case described by consultants at Luton & Dunstable Hospital as the worst they’ve ever seen.

Ahead of an imminent operation to remove one of her kidneys due to endometriosis, the 31-year-old headed to the south coast with family to see her husband Chris finish the 26.2-mile challenge in 3h55m24s – raising more than £3,350 so far.

Reflecting on the day, Chris, a member of Royston Runners, said: “Unfortunately a hip injury curtailed my training in the month leading up to the race.

“In all honesty, if I’d just be running the marathon for myself I would have pulled out, but because we’d raised such a phenomenal amount for charity – and a charity so close to our hearts at that – I was desperate to take part. I’d have walked the whole thing if I had had to.

“Luckily my hip just about held out on the day although my lack of running in the last few weeks caught up with me at mile 23 and I blew up. I had to walk a few chunks of those last three miles but the amazing support of the crowds at Brighton, and every single pound of money we’d raised, got me to that finish line.

“Despite everything it ended up being my second fastest marathon ever – but that was irrelevant. The day was all about doing our bit to help Endometriosis UK.”

Cat added: “When we met up with the Endometriosis UK team at the end, we learned that we had raised more for them than anyone had done before at the Brighton Marathon.

“It is such a nice feeling to know that our fundraising has created something so positive after a really tough few years. Hopefully the money will help raise the awareness that the condition so desperately needs, with one in 10 women suffering.

“I am so proud of how well Chris ran, who was in so much pain but still get a time under four hours – I’ll never know how he did it.”

To add to their total visit uk.virginmoneygiving.com/ChrisLennon3.