Hartlepool dad walking 54 miles in a day to help charity which supported his 'princess' daughter

Pippa Robinson, who is 19 months old, has cerebral palsy and needs a form of constraint induced movement therapy to help develop her weaker side.

She gets help from a North East-based charity called Heel To Toe with the therapy.

When organisers at Hartlepool’s own Miles For Men charity heard of Pippa’s story, they stepped in to help fund extra help for the little Hartlepool “princess” so that she can hopefully develop further.

Now Daniel plans to repay the kindness by walking 54 miles in one day to fundraise for Miles For Men.

He and his friend John Tiplady will cover a 13.5 mile route four times and has already raised more than half of his fundraising target of £600.

The pair will set off from the Clock Tower at Seaton Carew on Saturday, April 10, and Daniel, who works as a personal trainer, said: “I think Miles For Men is amazing.

"Everyone knows what great work they do and they are always there for people. They have been there for us.”

Pippa, who is daughter to Daniel and his partner, Gemma Friend, both 37, is “all smiles and really happy, nothing fazes her”, said her proud dad.

Daniel added: “Pippa has cerebral palsy and it affects her motor skills. It affects her being able to move.”

The constraint therapy process tries to encourage her to use her affected side of her body, the right side, more, said Daniel.

Micky Day, who is the founder of Miles For Men, said: “We are so glad we can support Pippa. We know she is Dan and Gemma’s little princess,

"Making a difference in Pippa's life is priceless for us as a charity and we continue to support the family along Pippa's journey.”

He said the prospect of such a staggering fundraising walk was ‘brutal’ and Micky added: “Total respect though to them both for supporting the people's charity.”

Anyone wanting to support Daniel and John’s fundraising walk can visit Daniel’s Just Giving page by clicking www.justgiving.com/fundraising/daniel-robinson49.

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