A childhood friend of tragic triplets mum Jane England, who died just six days after giving birth, is planning to run a fund-raising marathon.

Jane, 30, from Kents Hill Road, Benfleet, died from heart failure at Southend Hospital on December 7 leaving her week-old triplets - Harry, Matthew and Sophie - to be brought up by their loving father Martin.

The tale was all the more heartbreaking when it was revealed the couple, who had been married for five years, had the triplets after £2,800 IVF treatment.

Now Daniel Adamson, 22, a Reading University student who is studying for a PhD in meteorology, plans to raise money for the England Triplets Fund by running his first-ever London marathon.

As a child, Daniel lived next door to Jane in Benfleet and used to push him around in his pram.

Daniel's mother, Sue, who works at the Woolwich Building Society, said: "Jane used to come around and play with Daniel. It was tragic when she died.

If you would like to sponsor Daniel to run in the marathon, you can either send your donations or pledges - making cheques payable to the England Triplets Fund - to the Echo newsdesk at 18, Clarence Road, Southend, SS1 1AN, or telephone Sue at the Woolwich on 01702 472208.

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