Oxfordshire man running half marathon after daughter's death

Lester Whitby is taking on the challenge on October 13 to raise money for Helen & Douglas House, the Oxford hospice that cared for his daughter Imogen before she died in January 2017.

Imogen was just two when she passed away at the hospice, after a battle with a brain tumour.

Lester Whitby with his daughter Imogen (Image: Helen & Douglas House) Mr Whitby said: "She was a daddy’s girl, easy-going and always smiling. Immy was bright and we did signing with her.

"Imogen had learnt to walk at a year old and was a whirlwind of fun who filled the house with playfulness and laughter.

"She loved Peppa Pig, making endless cups of pretend tea, and putting on her red ‘doos’ (shoes) to chase our dog Monty around the garden."

Imogen Whitby (Image: Helen & Douglas House) In August 2016, Imogen started showing signs of illness and was later diagnosed with a brain tumour.

She underwent nine hours of surgery in September 2016 and started intensive chemotherapy, which made her "dreadfully ill".

A scan before Christmas showed no sign of the tumour, but Imogen was not well over the festive period.

An MRI scan a few weeks later revealed Imogen's brain cancer had returned and spread.

Imogen Whitby (Image: Helen & Douglas House) Mr Whitby said: "We came to Helen & Douglas House because although we dreaded losing Immy, we wanted her suffering to be over.

"We spent Immy’s last days in a hospice so we could be her mummy and daddy, not carers.

"We got to do some lovely things with Immy that we could not have done in hospital, nothing was too much trouble."

Since Imogen's passing, Helen & Douglas House has provided the family with counselling and support.

Mr Whitby said: "Helen & Douglas House have been so supportive to us since Immy passed away.

Lester Whitby with his daughter Imogen (Image: Helen & Douglas House) "We had regular counselling in the first few years to help us survive and get through the tough days.

"Without this support, I am not sure we would have got through the first year on our own."

He added: "I wanted to run the Oxford Half Marathon in aid of Helen & Douglas House because I understand first-hand just how important the work that they do supporting families like us is.

"I am running this half marathon with my best friend and Immy’s godfather Mark, together we want to raise vital funds to help Helen & Douglas House with their important work.

"This is the best way I can think to honour our little girl and her short life with us."