Consultant completes gruelling Alpine marathon

A hospital consultant has completed a gruelling marathon through the Swiss Alps in memory of his mother.

Dr Colin Melville, aged 50, took part in the Jungfrau Marathon for Macmillan Cancer Support

The charity helped his mother when she was dying from cancer three years ago.

The consultant paediatrician from Stafford so far has raised £800 towards his target of £1,000 for the charity.

Dr Melville, who works for Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust, has previously completed three London marathons.

He said: "Macmillan were very supportive during a difficult time for my family when my mother was dying from cancer.

I wanted to do something memorable to support their future efforts."

The Jungfrau Marathon takes a 26.2 mile route through the Swiss Alps, with competitors climbing more than 6,000ft.

More than 3,000 people took part this year, including Dr Melville, who completed the course in five hours and 13 minutes.

He said: "The scenery was stunningly beautiful, with lush woods and valleys, crashing cataracts, alpine villages and snowy mountain peaks.

"There was heart-lifting support in all the villages on the way, with brass bands, cow bells, alpenhorns and even bagpipes.

"The final climb up a mountain-goat path was fairly brutal, but added to the sense of achievement at the end."

He added: "Only one finisher broke three hours and only 150 broke four hours, giving some idea of the challenge."

Dr Melville, who is based at Stafford Hospital's Shugborough Ward, is still collecting donations for Macmillan Cancer Support at www.justgiving.com/jungfrau-virgin