A MAN has decided to raise money for West Cumberland Hospital's children's ward after his daughter was hospitalised while struggling to breathe.

Arron Newton, of Egremont, saw the work of the hospital first-hand after his daughter Romi got a chest infection after suffering from a severe case of flu.

He rushed his daughter to A&E, and she was put on the children's ward.

Mr Newton said: "I stayed in the hospital with her for a couple of nights and saw what the nurses do on the ward.

"It's absolutely amazing to see. They give them toys and try to keep them amused whilst you're trying to help your child with them.

"They encouraged me to take breaks and go for a coffee. They were brilliant, and I decided that I wanted to put something back."

Arron had heard that the children's ward was going to be changing location in the hospital and thought that if he could raise £400 it would help them to buy new toys for the young people. 

He decided that for two full days, he would run four miles every four hours. 

The route would take him on a four-mile loop of Egremont around Bigrigg and Woodend. 

Arron contacted the hospital, and he says that the staff were delighted to hear about what he was going to be doing. 

So far, he has managed to raise £700 but hopes that soon the total will reach £1,000. 

Arron has spent time in the army, is a keen ultra-runner, and has taken on several challenges in the past. 

Mr Newton continued: "In the end, I didn't want the challenge to finish because I was enjoying doing it and supporting a worthy cause. 

"If I can make a difference for the kids at the hospital it'd be absolutely brilliant. 

"It'd be nice to see more people giving the staff at West Cumberland Hospital the credit that they are due."

People can donate to Arron's fundraiser through his GoFundMe page.