Michael Ward, press and PR officer at Leeds Building Society has completed the Yorkshire Marathon in a personal best time and doubled their charity fundraising target.

Ward (pictured) completed the Marathon around York in three hours and 53 minutes, raising £1,150 for St Gemma’s Hospice – including £400 in matched funding from Leeds Building Society.

St Gemma’s Hospice provides specialist medical and nursing care to local people with life threatening illnesses, predominantly cancer. Based in Moortown, Leeds, St Gemma’s is the largest hospice in Yorkshire and cares for over 3,000 local people each year.

Ward, who completed the London Marathon in 2010 and 2011, said: “It was a great atmosphere for the Yorkshire Marathon and the support from the crowd was superb. The conditions for running were favourable as it was sunny, dry and still against the backdrop of a relatively flat course.

“I am delighted to have recorded my quickest finishing time for a Marathon and to have more than doubled my original fundraising target for St Gemma’s Hospice.

“I would like to thank everyone who has sponsored me and Leeds Building Society for providing matched funding.”

Becky Hole, senior fundraiser (events) at St Gemma’s Hospice said: “We were thrilled to hear about Michael’s fantastic finishing time in the marathon. The amount he has been able to fundraise for us by taking on the marathon is absolutely brilliant.

“We wouldn’t be able to continue our work if it weren’t for people like Michael taking on running challenges and raising sponsorship for us. Michael – thank you so much!”