A DAD from Andover successfully completed the London Marathon in memory of his late son to raise money for Sebastian’s Action Trust.

Stuart Hall-Cooper lost his 18-month-old son Beni to a rare condition known as myotubular myopathy back in December and the family were service users at a purpose- built holiday home in North Waltham near Basingstoke.

Stuart completed the run in four hours and seven minutes.

He said: “Running the marathon for the first time was an amazing and humbling experience.

“With tens of thousands of people running for charity – knowing you were doing the same – being part of that is something special and the crowd were brilliant, with complete strangers shouting your name and willing you on.”

Stuart explained the work of the Sebastian’s Action Trust and the purpose-built holiday home, The Bluebells.

He said: “The magic of The Bluebells extends to the whole family. With so many of us there, as well as Beni getting the attention he needed.

“It also gave Rachel, Beni’s mum, and I a little space thanks to the well-being treatments available.

“After Beni died, the trust offered music therapy and a space on a drama workshop to help Bella, Beni’s sister.

They were there for us before Beni died, when Beni died and remain so now.”