Two children have raised more than £500 in memory of their father, who died suddenly last year at the age of 34.

Rebecca and Gemma Walker, of Lime Close in Stevenage, together with their friends from the town’s Ashtree Primary School, took part in a seven-mile sponsored walk last Wednesday.

Rebecca, nine, and Gemma, eight, wanted to raise money for Winston’s Wish - a charity which supports bereaved children - to mark their father’s birthday, April 2.

Anthony Walker died on July 14 last year from ketoacidosis, which occurs when there is a lack of insulin in the body. Instead of breaking down insulin, the body breaks down fat, which causes a build-up of a by-product called ketones, which can be fatal.

Rebecca and Gemma, together with their mother Catherine Wood and their school friends and their parents, walked seven miles from their home to Walkern and back, via Aston.

Miss Wood said: “All the children were amazing and didn’t complain once. There were about 15 of us in total. The total now stands at [more than £500], so the girls are thrilled.”

To sponsor Rebecca and Gemma, visit http://www.justgiving.com/Catherine-Wood7

To find out more about Winston’s Wish, visit www.winstonswish.org.uk