After running their first marathon for Meningitis Now, Samantha Mattingly and Lyn Bridge have raised £2,500 and the total is still rising.

The two women ran in memory of 16-year-old Hannah Evans, of Williams Way Rochester, who died suddenly of meningitis in November 2015.

The next day Lyn said: “I can’t stop smiling today, I am on such a high.”

Samantha, Hannah’s hairdresser, completed the marathon in 4hrs 29mins, added: “It was an amazing experience I loved every second of it”

The two women are currently gathering donations from Samantha’s clients at Stylistics hair salon, in Wickham Street, Rochester and from money boxes at The One Stop Shop on City Way, The Garage Pub and at Patters Fish and Chip Shop all in Rochester.

The pupils of Thomas Aveling School, which Hannah attended, have raised £300 from selling wristbands.

The pair are already planning their next run in memory of Hannah, perhaps in Manchester.

Lyn, who finished with a time of 4hr 11mins 5 secs, said: “It’s a cause very close to my heart because Hannah was my daughter’s school friend.”

Along with a mini-bus of rebel runners, who Lyn and Sam trained with, Hannah’s parents came to support the two.

Lyn said: “It spurred me on especially when I was two miles away from the end.”

Hannah’s family, who are running novices, plan to complete the pre Marathon 10K in Brighton next year to raise money for Meningitis Now.

To sponsor Sam and Lyn visit www.justgiving.com/Samanthalyn