A Welwyn Garden City dad has completed a half marathon for the National Deaf Children’s Society, which supports his two-year-old daughter.

Ricardo Neto was one of the runners in the Royal Parks Half Marathon on Sunday, October 13, finishing the course - which runs through London's Hyde Park, Green Park, St James’s Park and Kensington Gardens - in 1 hour and 34 minutes.

He has raised more than £625, surpassing his initial £600 target for the charity, which supports the UK’s 50,000 deaf children - including his two-year-old daughter Olivia.

Olivia was born deaf and the family has received ongoing support from the charity.

After finishing the race, sales manager Ricardo said: "People are at their best when they’re challenged.

"If we don't challenge ourselves, nature has a way of giving us challenges anyway. There’s a silver lining in every cloud.

"Becoming a father raised the bar for me, but I wouldn't change that for the world. My little girl was my inspiration.

"Finishing the race and receiving her hug was the biggest prize. With such a cutie waiting at the finish line, no way was I going to stop."

The National Deaf Children’s Society is dedicated to creating a world without barriers for every deaf child.

The charity aims to empower families to make informed choices and champion their children.

As well as offering specialist support, the society helps bring families together so they feel part of a supportive community.

Hannah Awesome, who supports fundraisers for the National Deaf Children’s Society, said: "We’re so grateful to Ricardo for taking on this historic challenge for us.

"It was a great achievement and we’re very proud of you.

"The National Deaf Children’s Society is dedicated to supporting the UK’s 50,000 deaf children and their families.

"The efforts of selfless fundraisers like Ricardo will help us to keep on doing our vital work, now and into the future."

To donate, Ricardo's fundraising page can be found at justgiving.com/page/ric-run-for-olivia-neto.