Marathon effort to remember friend

Buy photos » Holly Parker had her ‘moment to shine’ last summer and is now hoping to raise money for charity by completing two marathons in a week. Picture by Ian Dipple (s)

A REDDITCH woman who carried the Olympic Flame through Alcester is planning to run two marathons in the space of a week to raise money in memory of her friend.

Holly Parker will take on the Brighton Marathon on Sunday, April 14 before a week later completing another 26.2miles around the nation's capital in the London Marathon.

The 23-year-old theatre graduate is putting herself through the punishing ordeal to raise money for Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) in memory of her friend Hannah Pickering who passed away in May last year.

The former Alcester Grammar School pupil is no stranger to running the marathon distance as she has completed three others before and it was Holly's fund-raising and work with young people which earnt her the honour of carrying the torch last summer.

Holly hopes to raise £2,000 and to help boost her fund-raising efforts, a murder mystery event called 'Stage Fright' is being held on Saturday, April 6 at Lapworth Village Hall.

Penned by Holly herself, it will be performed by a cast of talented actors, including some professionals, from across the country. Guests will be guided through the case, sharing clues and revealing secrets along the way to help them solve the evening's mystery.

"Challenging yourself is so important when fund-raising, and both the marathons and the murder mystery have challenged me in different ways - April will be an interesting month!" Holly said.

"I’m very grateful for all the help and support from family and friends, just hope to raise as much money as possible for Cardiac Risk in the Young."

Tickets cost £25 or £20 for students and over 60s, and will include a three course dinner, complimentary drink on arrival, licensed bar and raffle.

They are available by emailing holly@crymurdermystery.co.uk or call 07921 511 095.

People can also visit uk.virginmoneygiving.com/HollyCParker to donate.

Share This

Regional news »