A WIRRAL dad has reached the base of Mount Everest as part of a 16 day trek in memory of his daughter Leilah.

John Hayden, from Noctorum, flew out to Kathmandu to trek to Everest base camp on October 4 in the hope to raise £1,000 for the Leilah Foundation, a charity set up in memory of Leilah.

He has now surpassed his target and has so far raised £1,105.

Leilah was just 15-months-old when she passed away suddenly on January 13, 2015.

It took 12 weeks for her parents to discover that her cause of death was myocarditis.

Myocarditis is a disease marked by inflammation and damage of the heart muscle and accounts for thousands of sudden deaths each year.

 

Since her death, Leilah's parents Alicia Mearns and John created The Leilah Foundation to raise awareness for the disease and an overall goal to raise £32,000.

Before his trek, John told the Globe: "When Leilah passed away, we were looking at ways to raise cash and I saw the three peaks challenge.

"Every time I climb to a summit, I feel a sense of peace and always see Leilah, I remember the good times we had with her.

"I carry her dummy with me on a lanyard and take a picture each time I reach a goal.

"We are so thankful for any donation towards the Leilah Foundation, even £1 will go a long way. Every penny is so appreciated."

To donate to John's Everest base trek visit https://www.gofundme.com/wd4ad-everest-base-camp

For more information about the Leilah Foundation visit https://www.facebook.com/pg/leilahhayden/