A children’s hospice has benefited by more than £5,000 thanks to the personal efforts of a regional newspaper editor.

Peter Barron, of The Northern Echo, chose The Butterwick Children’s Hospice at Stockton as his charity when he embarked on a marathon series of speaking engagements.

The talks to community groups are based on his regular column Dad At Large – a light-hearted view of parenthood – which has now been turned into two books.

The first book, with a print-run of 2,000, sold out and the second book, published last June, is already well on the way to surpassing those sales.

Following the success of the first book, the Echo’s parent company, Newsquest North East, agreed to donate £1 from each sale of Dad At Large 2 – To Vasectomy And Beyond to the Hospice.

The Prime Minister enjoying Dad at Large

Peter sends all his fees for speaking engagements – ranging from £20 to £250 – to the charity. Proceeds have now exceeded £5,000.

Peter said: “The column and the books are inspired by children so it seemed appropriate that children should benefit. The Butterwick Children’s Hospice is a wonderful, humbling place and I am delighted to have been able to help in a small way.

“Hopefully, that £5,000 will go on rising with the continued sales of Dad At Large 2 and Dad At Large 3, 4, and 5 in the future. One day, there might even be a Grandad At Large – although not too soon with a bit of luck!”

The Northern Echo was instrumental in establishing the hospice – the first children’s hospice in the region – by launching a campaign which raised £500,000 following the death of Princess Diana.

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