A FATHER who overcame adversity to become an Ironman in memory of his late daughter says he is “overwhelmed” by the outpouring of support his family has received.

Jason Coe and his wife Holly lost their daughter Jasmine in October 2015 - she was just five days old when she died after suffering what doctors believe was a massive perinatal stroke in the womb.

Five months later, with grief still at the forefront of his mind, 33-year-old Jason took a decision that would take over his life for the next year - he would run an Ironman triathlon to raise money for the two charities that had been there when he and Holly most needed it.

“People were doing walks and runs and marathons,” said Jason. “Being the father I just thought, what’s the biggest thing I can possibly do?

“From then on, for 18 months, it was just training. I remember my very first run – it was only about 3km and took me about half an hour. I came through the front door and it was hurting, but at least that afternoon my head was somewhere else. It massively helped to focus my mind.”

An Ironman involves a 2.4 mile swim, a 112 mile bike ride and a 26 mile run - no mean feat for someone who struggled with a short run just the year before.

But on August 6, the rollercoaster ride came to an end. Jason crossed the finish line in Maastricht in a time of just under 12 hours. He had done it.

On Saturday, family and friends came together at Mackenzies in Old Town to celebrate the formidable achievement and to further the Westlea couple’s already impressive fundraising total.

There was a raffle with more than 100 prizes and a swap shop for nearly new clothes and much more.

The money raised is to be divided between Helen Douglas House, the hospice where Holly and Jason spent their final days with baby Jasmine and SANDS, a Swindon-based charity providing support to bereaved parents.

“Both charities have been incredible and we wanted to do something to help them,” said Holly, 32.

Jason added: “Our life had stopped and we didn’t know how to get through this. They really helped us and gave us strength.”

The couple’s wish to make a difference to the two charities has certainly become a reality - after Saturday evening they have raised more than £7,000.

Holly said she was blown away by how people had got behind them and given their time and their money to help.

“Everyone has been really supportive,” she said. “They’ve really got into it.”

“It’s been incredible,” added Jason. “Everyone has been so generous.

“Family, friends, Holly’s work colleagues, my work colleagues and beyond. We’ve had donations from people we don’t even know.

“We originally had a target of £1,500 but we’ve gone so far past that. It’s overwhelming and it all feels a bit like a dream.”