MARATHON runner Dawn Richardson travelled across the Atlantic to help raise thousands of pounds for a hospital's urology department.

The 30-year-old secretary decided to compete in the New York Marathon last month after a family member had a prostate operation at the James Cook University Hospital, in Middlesbrough.

She paid for the trip herself and completed the race in just over three hours, raising more than £2,000 to help fund a prostate cancer awareness nurse.

That money was matched by her employer, Cleveland Bridge, giving a total of £4,250.

Yesterday, Miss Richardson, of Cockerton, Darlington, presented the cheque to surgeon David Chadwick at Darlington Memorial Hospital.

She said: "I just wanted to say thanks to the hospital."