Race against the odds

David Wareing, managing partner of north-west firm Hill Dickinson, got the better of his sponsors in July's London marathon by actually finishing it.

He raised 8,000 (worth 10,000 with gift aid), which is being split between the Alder Hey rocking horse appeal - which is funding the UK's first integrated cancer unit for children - and the charity Community and Child Mental Health.

Mr Wareing - pictured here with some of the children to benefit - confides to Obiter: 'I think the final sum may reflect the lack of confidence that most people had in my ability to complete the race.'