Father running London Marathon in memory of daughter

Tom Farnell says Ocean, who had Rett syndrome, is his "main inspiration"

A bereaved father is running the London Marathon in memory of his daughter Ocean who died of a rare genetic disorder at the age of four.

Tom Farnell, from Swindon, Wiltshire, is raising money for Ronald McDonald House Charities, which supported his family while his daughter, Ocean, was in hospital.

Ocean spent much of her life at Oxford Children's Hospital being treated for Rett syndrome, a rare genetic condition that affects brain development and causes severe mental and physical disabilities.

"The little bit of pain or whatever that I'll go through is literally nothing... compared to what she went through," Mr Farnell said, ahead of the race on 27 April.

Mr Farnell, 36, and his wife Kaomi noticed "something was wrong" with Ocean's development in the months after she was born.

Unlike their older son, she failed to sit up independently and struggled to breathe.

A year later, she was diagnosed with Rett syndrome.

Ocean had Rett syndrome, a rare genetic condition affecting brain development

Mr Farnell, an electrician, said Ocean's health deteriorated "massively" over the next three years, before her death in 2023.

When she was in intensive care, the Ronald McDonald House Charities organised accommodation near the hospital in Oxford so the family could spend time with her without having to drive in from Swindon every day.

Speaking about the staff, Mr Farnell said: "They're so nice and welcoming – whatever you need, they'll get.

"We couldn't have asked for any more from them, especially towards the end of Ocean's life when it was very, very difficult."

Mr Farnell is raising money for Ronald McDonald House Charities

Mr Farnell said Ocean was his "main inspiration" for the marathon.

So far, he has raised more than £3,000 for the charity.

"Anything will go a long way in helping them," Mr Farnell said.