Five runners completed an emotional London Marathon helping raise £20,000 for a Jewish charity.

Team Jewish Care successfully conquered the 26 mile route in the capital on Sunday and their training and dedication means that thousands of elderly people will be supported.

Runners from Radlett, Bushey, and Borehamwood, ran in aid of Jewish Care – a charity all close to their hearts.

Michelle Lobl, from Bushey, was taking part in her second marathon. When Michele’s father Benjamin Morgenstern was diagnosed with dementia, Jewish Care was there for his wife Norma, and the family. Mr Morgenstern stayed at a home in Hendon until he died in 2002.

Borehamwood Times:

Michele Lobl

Norma, 92, lives at Jewish Care’s Lady Sarah Cohen House. In December, she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. Norma very recently underwent surgery to remove a tumour and is currently receiving palliative care.

Her daughter, Michele, said: “My mother has always been a feisty, stoic and independent lady who has taught us the value of supporting others.

“It seems the least I can do is to try and raise additional funding to support Mummy and so many families, who like us, have Jewish Care to thank for supporting their loved ones.

“I was very emotional at the finish and I’m just so pleased, the support was amazing from Jewish Care and I’d like to thank everyone who supported me by sponsoring me to raise money for the organisation.”

The Running Rabbi, Rabbi Celia Surget, associate Rabbi at Radlett Reform Synagogue, has just completed two marathons in two weeks for Jewish Care this year, Paris and London.

Borehamwood Times:

Rabbi Celia Surget

She said: “I am proud and excited to have been given a spot on the Jewish Care London Marathon. It was so inspiring to see the team cheering squad at Mile 11 and knowing I’ll see them at Mile 23 was so motivating too, helping me to reach the finish.”

“I’d like to thank the community for their support, the money raised will help Jewish Care to make a real difference. It might be for just one person, but we can make a difference to one person's life.”

Matt Capin, 40, from Borehamwood, described the marathon as an “amazing experience”.

His grandfather and family friends have stayed at Jewish Care homes.

He said: “I’m really pleased to be able to run for the organisation which does such a lot for our community. I put in a lot of effort in to training and following the plan. This is my second marathon and I’ve done a seven half-marathons but this was just incredible.”

Borehamwood Times:

Matt Caplin waves as he takes part in the 2019 London Marathon

Adam Overlander-Kaye, Jewish Care’s director of fundraising, said, “I’d like to say a huge congratulations to all of our runners for taking on this tough challenge. It was a great atmosphere I enjoyed cheering them.

“Each runner has their own inspiring story about what motivated them to take on this huge challenge in support of Jewish Care.”