Keeping Dylan's memory alive

Frankie McKay ran the London Marathon in April to raise money for the Foundation for Study into Infant Death (FSID) in memory of his son Dylan who died aged just three and a half in February 2009.

He'd set himself a target of 1,500 but has raised over five times that in a few short months.

"I originally thought my target of 1,500 would be a big ask but to have raised in excess of 8,000 has been unbelievable and truly remarkable," said Frankie.

"Every penny raised will go to a great cause and it’s a real credit to everyone that donated in some form or fashion."

He added: "We knew from the support of friends, family, neighbours and both workplaces after the passing of Dylan, that they were very kind and genuinely caring people, but by contributing to the marathon in the way they did just honestly blew us away. Yet again we have seen that people have been touched by our loss and do want to help in whatever way possible."

He continued: "I wouldn’t like to thank any one individual person because to do so would be unfair on all those that donated in one way or another. Words cannot begin to describe how grateful we truly are to everyone but we would simply like to extend a massive thank you to everyone."

Recalling his marathon effort Frankie said: "The marathon itself was a really humbling experience. I felt privileged to be part of the whole event but soon realised just how many people run the marathon for charities close to their own heart and how much money is raised in total through the event. It is a fantastic experience and the crowds and fellow runners all drag you through the 26 miles, as well as your own personal incentive, in my case Dylan."

He commented: "This was a great channel for my emotions after Dylan’s loss, to put them into something positive and a have a way of commemorating Dylan's life."

Since Dylan's tragic loss Frankie and his wife Kerry have had a baby girl - Aimee.

Frankie said: "It's been over a year since we lost Dylan, but Dylan will continue to be a massive part of our lives - his existence was central and along with Aimee’s arrival, the best thing to happen in both our lives, and he will always be a key part of Aimee’s upbringing.

"We will continue to keep his memory alive and if we can do so in a way that will help others then all the better."

People can still donate to the appeal by visiting www.justgiving.com/Frankie-McKay