A caring teacher turned a tragedy into a positive ­— thanks to family, friends and students.

Dan Waterhouse, a PE teacher and head of Year 8 at the Manor Academy, Mansfield Woodhouse, has raised more than £23,000 for the Butterfly Room at King’s Mill Hospital, Sutton, which supports bereaved families who have suffered the loss of a baby.

He ran 200km in July — running at least 5km every day with different family and friends — following the death of his own daughter, Isla May, in January.

The Butterfly Room supported Dan and his wife, Laura, so he decided to help by raising awareness and money “for this amazing facility so that it can continue to support families who suffer the most unimaginable loss.”

He explained: “Laura was 39 and a half weeks pregnant and we thought our bundle of joy was about to arrive.

“Tragically our baby’s heart had stopped beating. Isla May Waterhouse was born sleeping with the angels. Our world fell apart.

“We were, and still are, completely heartbroken, Isla was perfect in every way.

“King’s Mill Hospital and their staff were amazing. We spent two nights in a special room on Sherwood birthing unit, the Butterfly room, which allowed us to spend some time with Isla, creating precious memories that we will cherish in our hearts forever.

“We cannot describe the importance of the Butterfly room to families who suffer the loss of a baby in the Mansfield and Ashfield area.

“The room is funded through donations and supported by an amazing group of midwives and charities.”

Staff and students at The Manor Academy, which is sponsored by the Two Counties Trust, also got involved in the running and fundraising.

Students donated £1 to take part in a non-uniform day and took part in a 5km run.

In total the school raised more than £9,500, while Dan has collected £8,000 on top of this, with more donations still coming in. And a grants-based charity has donated a further £5,000.

“I am extremely touched to have received an outpouring of love and support from everyone at our school and within the local community,” he added.

“I will never be able to thank the hospital and the amazing staff enough for the care that my wife and I were given during the hardest moment of our lives, but I am thrilled that we have been able to make a small contribution to their amazing work.”

Katrina Kerry, headteacher at the academy, added: “I couldn’t be prouder of our whole school for pulling together to support Dan to raise money for such a worthy cause.”

To make a donation go to www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/islasbutterflyroom?utm_term=erQ795Pyb