TWO wine-lovers from Winchester have completed a themed marathon in France to raise money for a cancer charity.

Lynne Cox, her brother-in-law David Cox, and their friends have raised over £16,000 by running the Médoc Marathon in Bordeaux for The Vintners' Foundation and The Benevolent.

They ran in aid of Lynne’s husband, and David’s twin brother, Michael Cox – a Ropley-based master vintner who died from cancer last year aged 62.

David’s team set off from Pauillac on Saturday (September 13) in aid of the two charities which were particularly close to Michael's heart.

Ms Cox, of Vicarage Lane, said: “It was an amazing weekend – a unique and very emotional experience with great camaraderie amongst the team members. We all ran with a photo of Michael attached to our shirts.

"I think it is fair to say that every one of us found the course very tough, particularly in the heat, but the fact that we all completed it was a testament to Michael – there was simply no way that we were not going to finish something we had started in his honour!

“I am so thrilled that so many people have donated so generously in his memory and that Michael continues to inspire us to work together on behalf of the wine trade which he loved so much.”

Saturday Kitchen wine experts Peter Richards and Susie Barrie, from Winchester, were also part of the group.

In his report of events, Mr Richards said: “This endeavour was all about Michael Cox. Celebrating our dear friend, who died too soon, was why we ran the marathon. ‘Team Cox’ was emblazoned on our running shirts; we all had a photo of Michael – striking a typically flamboyant pose, poignant in black and white – that went the course with us.

Hampshire Chronicle:

Peter Richards and Susie Barrie

“We like to think Michael would have looked on our undertaking with both amused bafflement and encouragement. ‘What were you thinking?’ he might have quipped, while strapping on his trainers.”

To help the group reach their target of £20,000 visit justgiving.com/susieandpetermarathondumedoc/.