A big-hearted family friend raised more than £300 towards the funeral costs for tragic baby Megan-Rose Gidley in a sponsored run at the weekend.

It took less than two hours for Darren Lane, 36, to run from Shore Road in Poole along to Boscombe Pier, where he met up with Megan’s family, including mum Jemima, dad Philip, sister Rebekah and brother Taylor.

Baby Megan, who suffered 10 cardiac arrests over her short life, died on October 1 aged just 10 months.

The longest period she spent at home was the six weeks before her death.

Mr Lane, a recovering addict whose partner Alison Horlock, 29, is an old friend of Jemima Gidley from their days at Poole High School, said he did the run the put something back into the community.

“I am in recovery at the moment and I wanted to do something for the good of the community,” he said.

“I haven’t done very much running but when I set off I was really up for it, and although I left myself two-and-a-half hours to finish I managed to do it in less than two, which I am very pleased with.”

Speaking to the Daily Echo after the event, Mr Lane said: “My legs are killing me now, but I am pleased with the amount we managed to raise, which will hopefully help out Jemima and her family.”

Mr Lane and his partner collected more than £190 in donations on the day, to go with around £150 sponsorship.

Mrs Gidley said the funds would help them pay the outstanding costs from the funeral on October 16, as well as going towards a headstone.

“It will be a big help in buying the headstone we want for Megan, which is about £1,500,” she said.

“There are cheaper ones for about £1,090 but they are really tiny and meant for newborn babies, the one we would like is actually quite cheap.

“Ali went through the same thing when her little boy Connor died a few years ago and it was nice of her and Darren to do this.

“It is nice to know people are thinking of you.”