TWO men who took part in the New York City Marathon raised enough cash to buy two mobility scooters for Brimble Hill School.

Adam Saville, 34 and Paul Judge, 48, ran the 26-mile course through the American city on Sunday, November 4. The run took place only two months after terrorists destroyed the twin towers of the World Trade Centre.

Pupils hopped on to the two brand new scooters, worth more than £3,000, for the first time during a presentation ceremony.

The ceremony was held at Cricklade Country Club where Paul works as the general manager and Adam is head chef. Paul said he found being in New York so soon after the tragedy a very emotional experience.

"They say New York now has the same sense of community as a small village and I would agree.

"There is a real feeling of strength and unity which I think has come out of what happened on September 11."

Adam said the New Yorkers seemed delighted that English people were still prepared to take part in light of the atrocities. The pair said they ran in memory of Adam's stepbrother Michael Hawkins who was one of Brimble Hill's first pupils.

Michael, who was mentally handicapped, died aged 40 in 1998.

Adam's stepfather Frank Hawkins was also a made an honorary president of the school in the seventies.

Adam said: "There comes a time when you want to put something back into the community. The thought of all the children at Brimble Hill kept me going the whole way."

Adam finished the marathon in four hours, 36 minutes and 55 seconds. Paul finished in three hours, 51 minutes and 38 seconds.

Now Adam has started training for the Los Angeles Marathon in March.