Two charities are more than £20,000 better off thanks to the determination of three Swoffers staff who took part in the London Marathon.

The impressive amount has been raised by Swoffers Open Market Director Shauna Clapham, property negotiator Andy Biggins and rentals executive Sue Nicolle.

‘It was the most amazing experience,’ said novice marathon entrant Shauna. The trio trained ‘from scratch’ in less than three months, which added to the demands of the event. ‘Most people decide much further ahead to take part and start training but for various reasons, that just wasn’t possible so we had to cram it into a much shorter timeframe,’ said Sue.

Shauna and Sue completed the challenge in five hours and nine minutes, saying ‘never again’ but have since started considering doing another one ‘So who knows’. Shauna raised more than £16,000 for Children with Leukemia and paid tribute to her supporters.

‘Sue and I chose this charity because we know how crucial it is for providing support to youngsters suffering from this terrible condition and their families. It is really humbling to have received so much sponsorship from friends and business colleagues,’ she said.

Sue raised around £4,100 and was delighted to have finished the marathon. ‘I was the only one of us who had taken part in a marathon before but it was an awfully long time ago, so it was no certainty that I would manage it again – although I was determined to give it my best shot,’ she said.

Andy, who is well known locally through his island cricket team connection, was taking part in his first marathon and finished in an impressive three hours and 28 minutes. That put him in the top 4,000 of the 46,500 entry field. He raised £2,650 for Lords Taverners and said the experience was memorable.

‘I enjoy sport but running 26 miles was something completely different so it was a real challenge. It was an incredible day,’ he said.

The London Marathon was the latest event used by Swoffers staff to raise money for charity. Shauna explained: ‘My decision to enter was partly the result of a challenge issued by Matthew Henry after he and Spencer Noyon completed a tandem ride from Lands End to John O Groats.

‘They handed over £25,000 to Les Bourgs at our ball and Matthew publicly challenged me to get into the spirit and do a marathon. I had my second son in the meantime but then decided to give it my best shot. We have raised more than £250,000 for charities in recent years and are committed to play our part in the community and for good causes beyond the island as well,’ she concluded.