A COUPLE from Poole who completed a half marathon walk with their nine-month-old son in aid of War Child have been thanked by the national charity after they smashed their fundraising target.

Billie and Darren Stock said they were inspired to take on the challenge after learning about the work of War Child – a specialist charity supporting children affected by conflict

Along with their son Leonardo, the couple, who live in Highview Gardens, set out to walk from Hengistbury Head to Poole Quay in August.

Setting themselves a fundraising target of £75, they impressively managed to raise a total of £300 – all of which will be used by War Child helping children whose lives have been torn apart by war.

“War Child is a charity that should hit home for any parent,” said Billie, 25.

“The thought of children not being able to have something as simple as education or a safe place to sleep is heart-breaking.

“War Child helps to address these issues head on which is why we chose to walk for them.”

Their route along the seafront took about four hours – and although Leonardo had a pushchair Billie said he still managed to walk part of the route.

“Leonardo was just under nine months old when we did the half marathon,” added Billie.

“I feel so proud of us all to have done this and helped so many children who are going through a childhood that no child deserves.”

In 2015 War Child supported more than 125,000 children and their families around the world, including in Uganda, Afghanistan, Democratic Republic of Congo, the Central African Republic, Jordan and Iraq.

It provides education, counselling, child friendly spaces and other services to children whose lives have been destroyed by war.

Katie Johnson, head of individual giving at War Child UK, said: “On behalf of everyone at War Child, I’m so pleased to congratulate the Stock family on their achievement.

"We absolutely rely on the dedication, motivation and generosity of people like the Stock family and everyone who sponsored her.

"To raise money like this is absolutely brilliant and will make a huge difference to the world’s most vulnerable children who we work with. Thank you.”

For more information about War Child go to warchild.org.uk.