A 64-year-old woman from Ilketshall St Lawrence has run an incredible 50 miles in memory of her husband who died suddenly at home.

Doreen Whittington was left devastated after her husband David, known to all as ‘Dick’, passed away in October 2009 at the age of 67 after he suffered a heart attack.

A former long distance lorry driver, Mr Whittington enjoyed flying his model aircraft from an airstrip in Binham in north Norfolk.

The couple had been together for more than 30 years and have a daughter Louise.

In a touching tribute Mrs Whittington decided to embark on a 50 mile run from her home to the site at Binham where Mr Whittington flew his model planes.

A keen runner and member of the Bungay Black Dog Running Club, Mrs Whittington completed her challenge in five stages.

She first ran about six miles to Bungay and the following day she completed an 11 mile run from Bungay to Poringland.

This was followed by another 11 mile run from Poringland through Norwich to Horsford, a 10 mile run from Horsford to Saxthorpe and the final stage involved the longest run of about 13 miles from Saxthorpe to Binham.

Mrs Whittington was ferried around by family and friends who brought her home at the end of each stage.

At the end of her challenge she was delighted to find a finish banner, flowers, champagne and cake organised by her daughter Louise Coulson and son in law Richard, from Holton, and Andrew Taylor, who owns the field where Mr Whittington flew his aircraft.

Mrs Whittington, a secretary at St Felix Junior School in Southwold, said that her husband had a “larger than life personality” and that she misses him terribly.

She added: “He loved flying his model aeroplanes at Binham. He had done this for a number of years and really enjoyed it. That was the significance of the place. I wanted to make a memorial day of it.”

Mrs Whittington is raising funds for the East Anglian Air Ambulance which attended the scene after Mr Whittington suffered a heart attack.

She said: “They came out and were absolutely fantastic. They were so helpful and considerate and did everything they possibly could.”

Mrs Whittington continues to raise funds for the air ambulance. If anyone would like to offer sponsorship they can email her at doreen@sailor.demon.co.uk