First-time parents were left hoping their baby daughter would ‘hold on’ before entering the world - so her dad could finish a 24-hour charity gaming challenge.

Kirk Broderick, 32, ended up completing the mammoth stint on his Xbox at the couple’s Sidmouth home as wife Kate, 20, was in the early stages of labour and having contractions.

Shop worker Kirk had signed up for the effort, in aid of Macmillan, expecting little Alice would already have arrived, but she was 10 days overdue. The healthy baby girl was born just hours after he put down his controller.

“Kate had been in the early stages of labour since the Wednesday, but it was only on the Saturday [the day of the challenge] when she went into full labour,” said Kirk, who works at Sidford’s Spar. Kate was his favourite customer.

“She was having contractions through the whole marathon,” he added. “It was a bit of a blur, the whole weekend.”

Alice Sylvia Milly Broderick was born in hospital at 3.15pm on Sunday, October 2.

“Parenting is life changing, for the better,” added Kirk.

“I’m completely smitten with Alice. So far it’s scary, exciting and I’m loving it. Fatherhood is my new favourite thing - except for gaming.”

While other people baked cakes or held coffee mornings for Macmillan, Kirk quite literally played to his strengths. He spent a full day on his Xbox surviving from zombie attacks, infiltrating a triad gang and stealing cars in virtual worlds – then came back to reality.

The former Sidmouth College student said: “It was fairly straightforward at the beginning, but it got a lot tougher as it went on. Staying focused on one thing for 24 hours is no easy task.

“It was tough to stay awake, especially around 3am when it’s quite cold and very quiet – it’s just you by yourself, just keeping myself awake with the aid of caffeine.”

“Macmillan has been helping people for so long, and if I can raise awareness through what I’m good at, I will. I think sometimes a little goes along way – I hoped I’ve helped.”

Kate said she was ‘very proud’ of Kirk for taking on the challenge for ‘a very good cause’.

“I was a bit nervous about being in the early stages of labour, but I was willing Alice to hold on, and, bless, her she did,” said Kate.

“I was relieved it was over - it was a long haul for Kirk; he looked a bit exhausted, but I was very proud of him, plus, I got to watch TV again.”