Bereaved parents Mike and Lynn Kell took centre stage at the Essar Chester Half Marathon on Sunday (29th April 2018) as they pressed the start button for the race’s fun run.
Mike and Lynn whose daughter Annie passed away in 2010 from an inoperable brain tumour started the race for over 1,000 youngsters who took part in the 1 mile run around Chester Racecourse.
Lynn and Mike and their friends Paul and Paula were guests of honour at the Essar Chester Half Marathon after the family were supported by Claire House Children’s Hospice, the race’s official charity.
This year Lynn and Mike and a group of their friends will be taking on 21 challenges to celebrate Annie’s 21st birthday, they are hoping to raise £21,000 for the hospice in her memory.
Lynn, said; “Like many of the runners who took part in the Half Marathon we are challenging ourselves this year. In many ways we are stepping outside our comfort zones and taking on experiences that Annie and many children are denied.”
Over 6,000 runners pounded the streets of the city for the Essar Chester Half Marathon, with 50 runners raising money for Claire House Children’s Hospice.
Sophie Chilvers, Running and Challenge Fundraiser at Claire House Children’s Hospice, said; “At Claire House, we love to try and involve the families we support. So, we were delighted to be able to invite Mike and Lynn to start the Fun Run and cheer on all the kids who are taking part.
“We would like to say a big thank you to all the runners who took part. Claire House needs to reach out to every child and family who needs us. Without the support of events like the Essar Chester Half Marathon, we simply wouldn’t be able to do the work that we do, supporting families from Chester and the surrounding areas.”
To donate to the Kell family’s 21 challenges visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/paul-cunningham21.
