EMMA Harris has proved a runaway success as a charity fundraiser.

She has so far raised £1329.29 for children’s charity Wooden Spoon with her first marathon in Edinburgh, inspiring a whole host of fundraising ideas from her employers JMDA Design of Pershore. Miss Harris finished the gruelling 26.2 mile run in three hours 59 minutes and smashed her fundraising target of £500.

She said: "I made my way to the start-line feeling excited and nervous. I lined up in my start pen and the atmosphere started to build. The crowds counted us down from 10 and then we were off, 26.2 miles to go I reached the half way point in 1hr 53 which was great and helped me to reassure myself that I could finish in under four hours. The second half was tough mentally and physically, but I focussed on my goal and reminded myself that I was doing this for a great cause. The feeling of crossing the finish line was great, I'd done it.”

Derrick Barker, managing director of JMDA Design, added: "She put her heart and soul into the Edinburgh Marathon to help support Wooden Spoon. We are very proud of Emma and the money continues to flood in… what a super achievement.”

JMDA Design is celebrating its 25th year in business with a series of fundraising activities as official corporate sponsors of Wooden Spoon. Miss Harris's marathon run was the first in a series of events organised by the company, which is also taking part in a raft race, golf day and clay pigeon shoot and hoping to donate a significant figure to the Worcestershire region, which will benefit those in the local area.