A DEVOTED stepdad who trekked through four marathons in a week has handed over his hard-earned funds to a charity close to his heart.

Civil servant Peter Miller walked from his family home in Northumberland’s Bedlington to the bedside of his stepdaughter Eve Anderson at Newcastle’s Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI), in April, raising £13,000.

The eight-year-old schoolgirl was rushed into hospital on Valentine’s Day suffering from a bleed on the brain and is still so poorly she is unable to walk or talk, needing round-the-clock care.

The care she has been given at the RVI inspired Mr Miller to raise funds for its charity Chief (Children’s Head Injury Equipment Fund).

Friends, family and businesses pledged amounts for his charity walk and people who read about the family’s story even stopped Mr Miller in the street to hand over cash.

This week the 38-year-old handed over a cheque for £26,890 to Chief after his fundraising was match-funded by the Newcastle Healthcare Charity.

Mr Miller said: “It felt great to hand over this much money. It was great to be able to give something back to all the people who have helped Eve from day one.

“All of the staff at the hospital have been absolutely fantastic and this is our way of showing our gratitude.