TWO rival west London letting agents who joined forces to run this year's London Marathon have raised almost £20,000 for sick babies.

Debbie Miller, a partner at Sinton Andrews letting office, and Akis Zissis, lettings manager at Lauristons, were part of a team of five runners who ran the 26-mile race in aid of BLISS, a charity which gives all its proceeds to special care baby units.

Akis said on Monday: "The money is still coming in, so far the total stands at £18,171.80."

Debbie said: "The only reason we ran was to raise money for BLISS. I wouldn't have done it for fun.

"One of our team members is a client of mine and a good friend whose two-day-old baby died last year."

The two rivals trained together and crossed the finishing line at the same time after a gruelling five hours 20 minutes in sizzling conditions and found the going tough when water supplies ran out.

Both runners said the support from the crowds lining the 26 mile route was phenomenal.

They said: "It was great when we got to the Embankment and saw friends cheering us on. That gave us a terrific lift.

"We were all running with injuries but we've fully recovered."

And how did they feel when they crossed the tape? Debbie announced: "Delighted, relieved and knackered. All I wanted was a large cold beer. And I got it."

Laura Kirkwood from the BLISS events team said it was the charity's biggest and most successful team ever, not just the marathon, but any event.

She told Akis: "I had totally lost my voice at the beginning of last week after all the shouting and cheering we did from the sidelines.

"It is so lovely to hear that not only did you train so well with Debbie but also that you started and finished together."

You can boost the team's marathon donation to BLISS through their website www.justgiving.com/Chris-Tony-Chiko-Akis-Debbie.

The charity's website is www.bliss.org.uk