A FAMILY fundraising affair has raised thousands of pounds for vital charity work.

While their daughter Sarah Hedley was taking on the London Marathon, parents Terry and Jane O’Donnell from Stratton were embarking on their own marathon challenge.

They walked a 28-mile route from Salisbury Cathedral to Winchester Cathedral.

The family were all raising funds for Kidney Research UK after they were inspired by Sarah’s three-year-old son Oliver, who has deformed kidneys and will eventually need a transplant.

Terry and Jane set off from Salisbury before 7am and trekked along the historic route of the Clarendon Way between the two cathedral cities.

Terry said it was a ‘demanding journey’ and he twisted his left knee at the nine-mile point but they eventually made it to Winchester Cathedral nearly 12 hours after setting off.

While the grandparents were doing that Sarah, who lives in Awbridge in Hampshire, was running the London Marathon with Oliver, brother Charlie and her husband Martin supporting her along the route.

Terry said: “She ran virtually the whole 26.3-mile course without any meaningful walking breaks, which was fantastic.”

Between them the family has raised more than £3,000 and donations are still coming in.

Further donations for Jane and Terry can be sent to the couple at 4 The Old Bull Inn, 46 Dorchester Road, Stratton, Dorset, DT2 9RZ.

Anyone sponsoring them are asked to include their full name and title, house number or name, postcode and the amount so that they can claim gift aid.

Sarah can be sponsored online at support.kidneyresearch.org/sarahs2014challenge