A student running the London Marathon has raised more than £5,000 for the North London Hospice.

George O'Shea, 18, discovered the dedication of staff at the North London Hospice, based in Finchley and Enfield, in the wake of tragedy last year.

While studying for his A-Levels at St Ignatius College in Turkey Street, enfield, two of his school friends’ mothers died after being cared for at the hospice.

Their close-knit group of friends committed to raise money so that other families could benefit from the same excellent care they heard about.

He will now run the London Marathon in April and has been busy holding a range of fundraising activites, including an event at the Oakwood Tavern pub which raised £3,000.

Although starting with an ambitious target of £2,500 George has smashed that figure, with his current total standing at £5,385.88.

His friends have raised thousands more through fundraising events such as a football day.

The teenager, who lives in Oakwood, Oakwood is balancing his marathon training with studying for a degree in Sport Science at Brighton University.

Despite struggling with a foot injury, George says he is “nervous but excited” to compete and can’t wait for the event this Sunday.

He said: “It is fantastic to have raised so much. Everyone has supported me and motivated me so I know I have to push on and do it.”

Praising the work of the North London Hospice, he said: “While my friends’ mothers were being treated they received excellent care and the families were well looked after. It really took the stress of the families during a terrible situation.”