A son has kept a promise made to his dying dad by completing a 72-mile sporting challenge in aid of a Hampshire hospice.

Joe Nuth has raised more than £12,000 for the Oakhaven complex, which cared for 72-year-old Garry Nuth as his life drew to a close.

Joe's challenge comprised a 50-mile bike ride, a 10-mile row and a 10-mile run, plus a two-mile walk.

The following week, the family also staged a charity fundraising evening in Garry’s honour.

Oakhaven Hospice has been presented with £12,000 by the family of a patient who died in JulyOakhaven Hospice has been presented with £12,000 by the family of a patient who died in July (Image: Newsquest)

In a statement they said: "On the 23rd July, 'the King of our family' sadly lost his battle with cancer. He was loved by all and was always so loving to friends and family.

"One of our Dad's last wishes was to raise money for Oakhaven Hospice, so we promised him we would."

READ MORE: Oakhaven and Mountbatten hospices hit by soaring bills

For nearly 50 years, the father of three worked as a baggage handler at Heathrow Airport. But he and his wife Sonia often visited the New Forest area and moved to New Milton following his retirement.

Joe's brother Adam said: "The relief the hospice gave to my Mum was incredible. The knowledge they had was remarkable.

"I always say they were nurses times ten. Joe completed this challenge to give thanks to them and I'm incredibly proud of him."

Oakhaven Hospice has received more than £12,000 from the family of a patient who died in JulyOakhaven Hospice has received more than £12,000 from the family of a patient who died in July (Image: Oakhaven)

The family's JustGiving page said: "Oakhaven made our Dad and our family feel very welcome from the moment we arrived to the moment we all left.

"This kind of hospice relies on generous donations to provide the much-needed support to patients and their families in their most difficult times.

"Half the staff we spoke to were volunteers and are just there to help, which goes to show how much they care.

"The hospice is always in need of new equipment to make those final days of life as comfortable as possible, and it would mean the world to us if we could pay our gratitude forward to the next family."

READ MORE: Hospices say funding boost will enable them to continue to provide compassionate care

Oakhaven's community and events manager, Jill West, thanked the Nuth family for raising a "fantastic" amount.

She added: "Oakhaven provides care free of charge, yet just 11 per cent of its costs are covered by the NHS. For the remainder, it relies on donations, fundraising, gifts in wills and income from its shops and social enterprise, Oakhaven Care Ltd.

Based at Lower Pennington Lane in Lymington, Oakhaven has been providing palliative care for more than 30 years.