A MAN has walked more than 100 miles in three days to raise money in memory of a mother and daughter who died in a car crash.

Brian Baines raised more than £1,000 walking from Maryport, in Cumbria, to HMS Trincomalee, in Hartlepool, in three days last week.

He decided to take on the coastto- coast challenge after hearing of the plight of Ian Richardson, of Billingham.

Mya Richardson, six, and her mother, Joanne, 40, were killed in a head-on crash with another car travelling the wrong way on the A1 near Gosforth, Newcastle, last August.

Mr Richardson, 38, survived, along with their ten-week-old daughter, Ava –who has just celebrated her first birthday.

Mr Baines, 41, contacted Mr Richardson after feeling compelled to help after he was reduced to tears when he learnt of the tragedy.

“When I saw Ian on the news I just felt I had to do something,”

said Mr Baines, of Hartlepool. “I can’t imagine what he has been through, but I know it could have been so easy for him to give up.

“When I saw all what he had done I found it quite upsetting, but at the same time I was inspired.

“I like to help people and thought this was a fantastic cause.

“It is the biggest challenge I have ever done. I got quite emotional at times, especially when it got tough.”

Mr Richardson joined Mr Baines for the final few miles to HMS Trincomalee.

Mr Baines gave him two small rocks, which he had picked up from the beach in Cumbria to represent Joanne and Mya. Mr Richardson plans to place them on their graves.

All the money raised will go to the Jo and Mya Memorial Fund, which will be used to help children who have lost parents through illnesses or accidents.

Mr Baines, who is a project worker for Barnardo’s, added: “Ian was so pleased that I did this.

He has been fantastic and I really have been inspired by him.”

Mr Richardson recently scaled six of the highest peaks in the UK and organised a walk for Mya’s school friends up Roseberry Topping.

The “big and little yomps”

have raised more than £7,000 for the Royal Marines Charitable Trust Fund and the Jo and Mya Memorial Fund.

To donate, visit joandmya.

co.uk