A friend of the family of Warminster boy Sean Turner will run the Bath Half-Marathon in his memory on Sunday for the charity Little Hearts Matter.

Matt Porch, 20, met Sean through his mum Janet, who works as a teaching assistant at Minster Primary School, which the four-year-old attended.

Sean died in 2012 from a brain haemorrhage at Bristol Children’s Hospital after undergoing heart surgery.

Mr Porch was intending to do the run last year, but damaged his anterior cruciate ligament while playing for Warminster Rugby Club, and had to have surgery.

The former Kingdown School pupil was determined to get himself fit again to run this year and is now aiming to finish in 2hrs 10mins.

Mr Porch, who is an apprentice accountant for a company in Bath, said: “When I found out I couldn’t race last year, I set myself the challenge of doing it again this year as I was determined to do it for Sean.

“The injury was pretty bad and it has been challenging as I had to get my knee back to where it was before, but it has all been worth it.

“It’s quite personal for me as my mum was a teaching assistant in Sean’s class.

“I went into the class and met Sean a few times, so it was really upsetting when I heard about what happened as I saw what he was like.

“My mum also visited him a lot while he was in hospital.

“I know that Little Hearts Matter is not a big charity and it needs as much support as possible, so it would be really good to raise a lot of money. I like raising money for charity, but this is more personal.”

Mr Porch, of The Teasels, Warminster, previously ran the half-marathon in 2012 for Macmillan and has already raised about £300 for Little Hearts Matter, but is now aiming to top the £500 mark.

Little Hearts Matter offers support and information, and raises awareness of children born with heart problems.

Sean’s mother Yolanda said: “We are really happy that Matt is doing it and it means a lot to us that he is doing it in Sean’s memory.

"We know it’s been quite an uphill battle for him after his injury and we will be there to support him.”

To donate, visit www.justgiving.com/Matthew-Porch