Four students along with their Course Tutor, Tove Smith, worked flat out massaging the sore legs of hundreds of grateful runners in aid of the Cystic Fibrosis Charity.

Student Charmaine Lee (40, from Kingston), joined by her classmates, Caroline Tyrrell (18, from Epsom), Selina Macklin (25, from Surbiton) and Sonia Bandeira (33, from Richmond), said: "It was both exhilarating and humbling to be a part of the greeting team as the runners arrived amidst a frenzy of family and friends cheering their 26 mile achievement. The atmosphere was alive!

“Against the backdrop of a six minute massage, each runner openly shared their motivational stories of why they participated, how much money they had raised (nothing under £2,000) - along with the highs and lows of the journey. Professional masseurs coupled with us 'fledglings' to work a leg each where I gained further massage knowledge and experience as each had their own signature style and techniques.

“We were based in the cellars of a bar called 'Champagne Charlie's'. Regular clientele would normally be reclining in the sultry alcoves and dimmed lights, instead it was a bucks-fizz burst of happiness and glowing faces and the sound of applause indicated without question that the next customers were arriving...in style! Thanks Tove, it was a gorgeous day and a truly memorable experience!" Course Tutor, Tove Smith says: “This was a really “hands on” experience for the students. To provide post event massage in a sports event of this size and at the same time support a charity who can report that a way of removing the life-threatening element of Cystic Fibrosis is now close, was great.” By Wendy Catt-Camfield