An animal lover from Shepton Mallet braved torrential rain to run the virtual London Marathon for the Donkey Sanctuary recently.

Like thousands of others, Cobi Snelson was preparing to take part in the London Marathon in April, but the event was postponed due to Covid-19.

When official notification came through that this year's London Marathon was rescheduled to October 4 and could be completed anywhere in the world, Cobi jumped at the chance and planned her own personal 26.2-mile route in Collett Park, Shepton Mallet.

Setting off at 8.20am and faced with atrocious conditions, Cobi was determined the rain wouldn't dampen her spirits, and just over five hours later, she was cheered over the finish line by family and friends

Despite the conditions, her run went well, but 16 miles in, she was delivered a disappointing blow as her marathon app failed.

The app not only recorded her time and allowed her friends to track her progress, but it also played motivational messages at each mile to keep her going.

Luckily she had her fitness watch as a back-up, allowing her to record the time and keep her challenge on track.

Cobi said: "There were times when it felt so tough and really hurt.

"At these points I just remembered the poor donkeys in the world who suffer neglect and cruelty.

"I am so grateful for all the support and donations I've received. I really enjoyed the challenge and felt elated when I'd finished.

"Friends came out to support me during my last mile which was a fun surprise too. My official finish time was five hours, four minutes and eight seconds."

Cobi, who is aged 47, has another reason for running the marathon for the Donkey Sanctuary, as she and husband Mark are Donkey Guardians to Precious and Cudos, a pair of donkeys on the charity's Rehoming Scheme.

Cobi said: "The Donkey Sanctuary carry out such incredible work supporting donkeys worldwide and I'm so happy to be able to take on this challenge to help raise funds in return for the support they have given our gorgeous donkeys Precious and Cudos."

Rose Huxham, community fundraising officer at the Donkey Sanctuary, said: "We're so proud and grateful of what Cobi achieved in such challenging conditions on Sunday.

"In such a challenging year, it's amazing to see how our devoted supporters go out of their way to help donkeys."

Donkey Guardians play a vital role for the Devon-based charity, freeing up sanctuary space and providing dedicated care in a home environment.

With more than 1,400 donkeys and mules on the rehoming scheme, Guardians are supported by a team of welfare advisers from the Donkey Sanctuary.

To support Cobi's fundraising and to hear how she started training a year ago having never run a marathon before, visit her Just Giving page here.