A group of teenagers from Carlisle have clubbed together and raised almost £800 for Cumbria’s children’s hospice in memory of their friend’s brother.
To raise the money, the 15 lads completed 50 miles of running over five days and were sponsored for their efforts.
Their fundraising was in memory of Oliver (Olly) Stephenson, of Carlisle, who died suddenly last year aged 20 due to epilepsy.
The tragedy inspired his brother Charlie and his group of friends to do something positive to help others, with their challenge being brought to the attention of Geoff Brown, a local charity fundraiser who has run the Geoff Brown Charitable Trust for many years.
Geoff was impressed with what the group of youngsters, who attend Carlisle’s Richard Rose Morton Academy and Caldew School in Dalston did and decided to match their fundraising.
Carlisle-based Jigsaw received the special donation of £772.
Jigsaw is the only children’s hospice in Cumbria and cares for children with life-limiting illnesses from all corners of Cumbria. It costs more than £2,000 per day to run Jigsaw, with the majority of that needed to be sourced from fundraising.
Geoff said: “I thought what the lads had done was absolutely brilliant and a fantastic tribute to Oliver which will support a brilliant charity.
“It’s wonderful to see young people doing really positive things for their community and I was delighted to boost their fundraising through my charitable trust.”
Helen Rook’s son Ben is a friend of Charlie’s and was one of the youngsters who took part in the sponsored run.
She said: “It was wonderful the way they have all come together and offered their support to a friend when he needed it. They have done something incredible for other people in the process and we are all very proud of them.”
