Fundraisers from St George’s Hospital Charity visited the Malden Centre to collect a cheque for £1559.42, thanks to more than 100 fun runners.

The money was raised in a couple of hours at the annual Fun Run that launched Malden Fortnight on July 1, and represents a good start for the Malden Centre’s 12-month mission to raise funds for St George’s Neuro Appeal.

They are aiming to bring the community together to raise funds for the charity that brought real benefit to the life of a New Malden woman.

Mum of three young children, Emma Holloway, was diagnosed with Chordoma, a rare and incurable cancer, in November 2015.

Emma, 41, underwent a nine-hour operation at St George’s Hospital, Tooting, to remove most of the tumour that had grown into her spinal cord.

The highly specialised motor evoked potential (MEP) machine used in the operation needed to be loaned to the team to treat her.

MEP monitors impact on the spinal cord during surgery, providing instant feedback to prevent damage to the patient’s nerves.

Sue Wilson, adult education manager said: “We’re all really pleased the Fun Run raised so much money and are delighted to be supporting St George's Neuro Appeal across the year ahead. Hot off the press is the news that 10 of my colleagues, including me and our General Manager, Nicola Moore, will be attempting a 150ft abseil of the highest building at St George’s Hospital on September 16!

“I think we all feel a mix of excitement and fear but there’s no doubt it’ll be a great opportunity to raise awareness by doing something really different and hopefully raising lots of money too!”