THE children of a law expert who suffered a massive brain haemorrhage have stepped out to raise money for other patients like their dad.

The walk was the idea of Julia and Andrew Seager, of Bishopthorpe, whose father, Mark, suffered the brain haemorrhage in early January.

Mark, a lecturer at the College of Law, in York, is still recovering, and is undergoing treatment at a specialist rehabilitation unit.

Brain haemorrhages strike with little or no warning, and prove fatal within hours for as many as 30 per cent of sufferers.

Julia, 12, and Andrew, ten, wanted to thank all the medical staff who helped Mark during his illness and decided to organise the sponsored walk to raise money for all the hospitals involved in his care.

The youngsters challenged staff at the college to join in too - and pupils at Andrew's school, Archbishop of York's Junior School, in Bishopthorpe, also took part.

The children walked from their school to the college, where they were joined by staff. They then walked together along the cycle path, back to Bishopthorpe.

Some of the funds they raised - which have not yet been totalled - will be donated to Headway, a charity that supports people with a brain injury and those who care for them.

The rest will be split between the three specialist units which have been looking after Mark - Chapel Allerton Hospital in Leeds, York Hospital's stroke rehabilitation ward and the neurological high-dependency unit at Leeds General Infirmary.

Julia said: "We're really grateful for all the brilliant care that dad has been given. That's why we did the walk."

Andrew said: "We love dad, and can't wait for him to be well enough to come home."

Paul Aber, regional director at the College of Law, said: "Everyone at the college has been shocked that one of our colleagues, Mark, who was a fit man, could be affected by something like this.

"We are very keen to offer support to these organisations who do such wonderful work."

Anyone still wishing to sponsor Andrew and Julia can do so by phoning Rebecca Dearden at the College of Law, on 01904 682000.