Terry Lawton completed her third London Marathon and raised almost £2,000 for the Noddy Appeal, in aid of children’s arthritis.

Terry, 53, a higher level teaching assistant at the school, said: “It was a really tough one this year because of the conditions. It was so hot. This was my third London Marathon, and it was certainly the most difficult.”

She crossed the finishing line in a respectable 4hrs 58mins, 44 minutes outside her best time, for the event. A number of professional athletes failed to complete the course.

A record 36,391 runners took part with 5,000 received first aid treatment, 73 were taken to hospital. A 22-year-old man, who was taken ill after completing the race, died in hospital.

Terry was too busy concentrating to get round the course to notice any of the celebrities taking part. She has run each event in aid of the Noddy Appeal. “My best friend’s daughter has been diagnosed with arthritis and that is why I raise funds for the Noddy Appeal,” explained Terry, who lives near Bishop Auckland.

She is a familiar figure, running during the school lunch hour in the grounds and local area, and has inspired a group of students to join her, on her runs.

“I try to run every other day at school lunchtimes and go for longer runs at home in the evening,” said Terry, who will be taking part in her fifth Great North Run in September.