A retired anaesthetist and a GP with combined ages of 135 years completed the London 10k run on Sunday - raising almost £1,500 to support the Mercy Ships that bring life saving medical help to Africa's poorest citizens.

Keith Thomson, 70, of Winkfield Road, North Ascot - who worked as an anaesthetist at Ascot's Heatherwood Hospital for many years - is a former volunteer on the ship Africa Mercy which travels to West Africa with medical teams able to perform life changing surgery on the poorest people there.

Despite suffering osteoporosis as a result of a recent back injury Mr Thomson did Sunday's race in one hour, 10 minutes and 23 seconds.

His friend David Metson, 65, a retired GP from Bracknell, managed it in one hour, one minute and 39 seconds.

Their sponsors were all friends, family (they have five grandchildren between them) and members of All Souls Church, South Ascot.

Mr Thomson said: "It was extremely hot. Dave did it faster than I did but I am five years older."

Mr Thomson served on the mercy ship himself on 24 occasions over an 18 year period and knows exactly how the money raised will be used.

"It will help provide surgery for some of the approximately 3,000 patients in Guinea whose lives will be transformed between August and June next year on board Africa Mercy."

The Mercy Ships started their operations in 1990. The 17,000 tonne Africa Mercy was the scene of the 30,000th life changing operation last December.

Now the organisation is in the process of acquiring a second ship.

You can make a contribution by visiting https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/KeithandDave