A PROUD dad is running the Brighton half-marathon on Sunday for a children’s hospital which treated his sick daughter.

Barrie Ross-Dow says he will be forever thankful to the Great Ormond Street Hospital in London after his daughter Katya became ill at a very young age.

She had open heart surgery in 2013 when she was just five-months-old.

Barrie said: “Katya was rushed to hospital where my wife and I discovered that she had a genetic heart abnormality called Tetralogy of Fallot.

“The news came as a great shock as it would be to any parent but we were given hope that this could be successfully treated.

“We spent Katya’s first Christmas and New Year at the hospital and we will be eternally grateful for the level of care received there.

“She is now recovered and a boisterous three-year-old but it made me determined to give something back.”

Barrie is a director of corporate recovery and restructuring specialists Quantuma, which has offices in Brighton.

It is not his first running experience, having previously competed in the London Marathon.

He said: “I have not attempted the Brighton Half Marathon before.

“People tell me it is a beautiful seafront course and renowned for its buzzing atmosphere and crowd support so I am looking forward to it.”