A marathon runner who has seen his friend make a miraculous recovery after a fall has raised £4,500 for the people who helped him.

Matt Taylor, 34, of Ambleside Gardens, Sutton, ran the Virgin London Marathon this weekend in aid of the Queen Elizabeth Foundation in Banstead.

The foundation has helped Mr Taylor's friend Colin Green on the road to recovery after a fall last year.

When Mr Green, 57, from Banstead, fell six foot from a ladder in his back garden just over a year ago he suffered a huge head trauma.

Mr Green's family were told he was unlikely to ever walk or talk again, and he would require round-the-clock care.

However, thanks to his own personal determination and with help from the foundation, Mr Green is now learning to walk again and has regained his speech.

A recent milestone was launched when Mr Green returned home from hospital for the first time.

Mr Taylor said he has been left speechless by his friends recovery and the determination he has shown.

He said: "The foundation has been a fantastic help to Colin's recovery and rehabilitation. I wanted to thank them for helping my friend, although I'm feeling the pain now."

Mr Taylor completed the marathon in 4.08 hours, and said the last eight miles were a gruelling experience.

He said: "I said never again, and for the time being I'm sticking to that. Maybe ask me again in the three months when I might have recovered."

The IT architect for BT said his body is only just getting back to normal after the 26.2 mile race.

He said: "The hardest thing was the last eight miles. I'm struggling to walk right now and I never want to remember that last mile ever again."