MARATHON man David Dodd has visited the hospice that will benefit from his fundraising efforts.

The Darlington Building Society general manager raised £5,200 for the town's St Teresa's Hospice by completing 13 half-marathons.

The proceeds from his athletic feats have gone towards a new in-patient unit at the hospice.

The 47-year-old's physical test began in the Morpeth to Newcastle road race in January and he went on to participate in a further 12 events.

Hospice director Jane Bradshaw said: "David has been 'running for running costs' - this type of help is so important to us, as it helps us to plan ahead and enables us to continue to provide our services in a consistent and reliable way."

Mr Dodd said: "This has been a very rewarding challenge for me personally, but the really important thing has always been raising money for St. Teresa's."