The founder of a stables in Teddington ran the London Marathon last Sunday (26 April) dressed as a penguin. 

Natalie O'Rourke, who owns Park Lane Stables (PLS), ran the marathon to raise money for her son Teddy's football team, the Brentford Penguins, which she says "is the place where Woody is completely accepted and encouraged to be the best footballer he can be". 

She added: "For Woody football is life.

"Lead coach Allan is a force for good and is not only there for the penguins but the parents too.

"Woody gets to train and compete with other footballers who have Down's syndrome with coaches who truly understand his needs. 

"The club creates opportunities for Woody and is a pathway up to adulthood including coaching. Woody has made friends at Penguins and so have I which is so important in the disability community. 

"The whole club is funded by charity money which is why I'm running The London Marathon dressed as a penguin......"

O'Rourke ran the London Marathon to raise money for the Brentford Penguins football club (Image supplied)

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Speaking about completing the marathon, O'Rourke told Nub News: "I am so so proud.

"I am a middle aged woman not in the best of health and I smashed it. I felt so loved and supported by everyone that got behind me by sharing a kind word or a song or sponsoring me.  The crowd was phenomenal and absolutely carried me over the miles.  

"I am so happy I managed to make the penguins proud."

O'rourke has surpassed her fundraising target of £5,000 by raising £6,710. 

You can still donate to her cause here.