A BARROW man is on track to complete 100 marathons in memory of a seven-year-old girl who died from a heart condition.

Sophie Moolman, whose family are originally from Barrow, died from acute myocarditis died in March 2018 at Noble's Hospital on the Isle of Man.

Myocarditis, also known as inflammatory cardiomyopathy, is inflammation of the heart muscle which can lead to heart failure.

Through a mix of regular outdoor 'training' runs and races, as well as some high profile events including the London Marathon, Paris Marathon and Berlin Marathon, Daniel Paton, who is the husband of Sophie's godmother Michelle, set himself a challenge of running the equivalent of 100 marathons in a year.

He has also been growing his beard and has vowed to run every single day of the year to hit his target.

As the end of 2019 approaches Mr Paton, a former Furness College and Barrow Sixth Form student, is on track to hit his target and has so far helped to raise an incredible £4,000.

"I'm raising funds in memory of Sophie Moolman - my wife's goddaughter, who was tragically taken from us by acute myocarditis at just seven years of age in March 2018," the keen runner said.

"All proceeds will go to Rebecca House Children's Hospice.

"Any funds donated will be greatly appreciated and are going to a great cause. I realise that I run already but this is a massive challenge for me."

The Sophie Rocks 2019 fundraiser has so far generated more than £4,054 for the hospice which supported Sophie's family after her death.

Mr Paton's younger sister Ellen said she was immensely proud of him for his 'fundraising mission of epic proportions'.

"He has kept to his challenge so far and has run 3,725 km over 324 consecutive days," she said.

"Over the final few weeks of this challenge he is needing as much support as possible and trying to boost his fundraising as much as he can."

Visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/sophierocks2019 to make a donation.