Two charities have each been given a £7,000 boost thanks to a charity marathon run and other fundraisers held in memory of a much-loved boy.

Kevin and Julie Pitcher, from East Runton, have given East Anglia's Children's Hospices (EACH) and Cromer Children's Charity the donations to help the charities support others in the same way they supported their family.

Eastern Daily Press: Benny Pitcher.Benny Pitcher. (Image: Supplied by the family)

Mr Pitcher said: "It feels like we've now kept our promise. We've finally achieved what we set out to do. There will be a lot of families with children who will benefit from this."

Benny died aged six on July 12 last year after a battle with a rare form of brain cancer.

During his treatment, people from across north Norfolk and beyond came together to support the Pitcher family.

Eastern Daily Press: Julie and Kev Pitcher, parents of Benny, with a donation for £7,000 to Cromer Children's Charity, which was accepted by Philip Balls (centre).Julie and Kev Pitcher, parents of Benny, with a donation for £7,000 to Cromer Children's Charity, which was accepted by Philip Balls (centre). (Image: Supplied by Kev Pitcher)

Mr Pitcher said they now wanted to go on "giving back" and helping others in the same way.

"People stepped in to help our family and now we want to be there for others. This is our way of paying it back," he said.

Benny, who was diagnosed with diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma in March 2019, became known for his cheeky smile and 'superhero' courage.

Eastern Daily Press: Runners taking part in Benny's Poppyline Marathon, held in memory of Benny Pitcher.Runners taking part in Benny's Poppyline Marathon, held in memory of Benny Pitcher. (Image: Supplied by Duncan Baker)

He was a pupil at Sheringham Primary School and loved his family, friends and kitten Tilly.

Much of the money was raised around a marathon Mr Pitcher and others ran in north Norfolk on August 8, and further funds came from charity boxes in shops and other donations.

As well as the funds handed over to the two causes, the Pitchers are putting the sum of £4,562 towards a new charity they are planning to launch early next year.

Eastern Daily Press: Benny with his beloved kitten Tilly.Photo: contributedBenny with his beloved kitten Tilly.Photo: contributed (Image: Archant)

To be called Benny's Battalion, the aim will be to help other families with terminally and seriously ill children to pay for things when they have nowhere else to turn.

Mr Pitcher said this could include paying for a family's transportation or accommodation near a hospital so they could be close to a child undergoing treatment, for example.

Eastern Daily Press: Julie and Kev Pitcher, parents of Benny, with a donation for £7,000 to East Anglia's Children's Hospices (EACH), which was accepted by Tim Jenkins.Julie and Kev Pitcher, parents of Benny, with a donation for £7,000 to East Anglia's Children's Hospices (EACH), which was accepted by Tim Jenkins. (Image: Supplied by Kev Pitcher)

At a presentation ceremony on October 31 - what would have been Benny's eighth birthday - Tim Jenkins accepted one of the £7,000 donations on behalf of EACH, and Philip Balls accepted the donation to Cromer Children's Charity.