Four students who live in Leeds are combining their studies with training as they prepare to take on the city’s half marathon this Sunday (May 11). The housemates are hoping to raise £2,000 for the British Liver Trust and have a very poignant reason for doing so.
Luke Garner, who is 21, lost his mum, Jo, 18 months ago. She had auto-immune hepatitis. Luke ran the Manchester Marathon to raise funds in her memory last year and is delighted to have company on this year’s challenge.
“I was watching the Leeds Half with my friends last year and we all agreed that we’d like to take part ourselves,” says Luke. “I was really pleased when they said they’d like to raise funds for British Liver Trust too, particularly as I’m the only one who’s done serious long distance running before.”
Luke who is from Sale, will be joined by Joel Trevor, also 21 and Bailey Brynes and Myles Haworth, who are both 20. Training and fundraising have been going equally well, and the boys are on track to meet their target.
“I’m so grateful to have had all this support for a cause which is so important to me,” says Luke. “If we can all make it round and hit our fundraising target, I’ll be happy!”
Audrey Cornelius, Director of Fundraising at the British Liver Trust said: “As a charity, we are leading the fight against liver disease and liver cancer. We reach over two million people each year; providing information and support to patients and families and providing vital advice to help people improve their liver health. But there is still so much to be done. Liver disease is the only major disease in the UK where death rates are rising, and we want to change that. We’re so grateful to Luke and his friends. It’s a wonderful thing to do in tribute to his mum and we wish them all the best for the day.”
You can support Luke and his friends here Team fundraising for British Liver Trust ❤️ is fundraising for British Liver Trust
