A mum was left heartbroken after her father-in-law - a council chief executive - died midway through a fundraiser in his honour.

Megan Groves took on the challenge of walking 10,000 steps each day throughout March for charity.

It came after David Marchant, Castle Point Council’s chief executive, was diagnosed with cancer.

However, David died on March 11.

Megan, who was raising funds for Cancer Research UK, admits it was difficult to come to terms with his loss during her fundraiser.

She said: “I started the fundraiser at the beginning of last month because my father-in-law had cancer.

“Being in lockdown and having a one-year-old child, I thought it would be a great way for me to get out of the house each day and raise some money.

“The fundraiser had been going well and I was reaching my target of 10,000 steps each day. Then, suddenly, David died and it was difficult for all of us to get our head around. It had already been really hard for us because we hadn’t been able to visit him due to coronavirus restrictions and it was a tough decision whether to carry on with the fundraiser or not.

“I decided to continue and everyone in the family is proud.”

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David, who died at the age of 68, had worked in councils for 40 years and was a trustee of the Zenith Multi Academy Trust, which oversees The King John School in Thundersley.

During his career in local government, David worked for councils including the London boroughs of Barking, Newham and Harrow, and later with Brentwood, where he was deputy chief executive.

Megan, from Benfleet, is proud to have raised more than five times the amount she set out to gain for Cancer Research UK.

The 31-year-old added: “I wanted to raise £300 when I initially set up the fundraiser. I was just keen to get out and help a charity that is close to my family’s heart. The fundraiser then took on added significance because of my father-in-law passing away and I have now raised more than £1,500.

“He would be very proud of me raising such a substantial amount of money and I’m pleased that I carried on battling through the tough period. A lot of people would have stopped in those circumstances.”