A mystery spectator gifted £800 to a Newington Green marathon runner’s fundraising campaign after being inspired by her dash for the line, six minutes before the event’s cut-off.

“I don’t find inspiration often – today I found it in you,” were the words left on the fundraising page of Rita Williams-Hall by the anonymous donor.

Rita, 45, almost quadrupled her initial fundraising target of £500 for the National Autistic Society.

She clocked in at seven hours 54 minutes in Sunday’s event, placing her sixth last out of the 40,000 competitors.

She considered packing it in around mile 20, but ended up powering through all the way to the line.

Rita ran wearing wristbands bearing the names of 14 children with autism that she knows.

“The wristbands made it feel like they were running along with me.”

Rita was touched by the kind donation and would welcome the opportunity to personally thank them for their donation towards a cause so close to her heart.

“I don’t want them to feel forced to come forward,” she said, “but I would love to thank them.”

You can donate to the National Autistic society on Rita’s fundraising page here.