Fundraising for Mind and CRY: Running for Rosie and Alfie

Last Summer we sadly lost two incredible young people close to us who shaped our lives in ways words will never fully capture. In their memory, we’re taking on a series of tough challenges together to honour the joy they brought into the world and to support two charities that do incredible work to support families who have lost young people.

Running for Rosie – Supporting MIND:
Rosie sadly died on the 14th July at just 20 years old. She was a free spirit—creative, expressive, and amazing at poetry and art. We have attached some of her beautiful artwork on the page. Some of our happiest memories with her are the simplest ones: looking after her hens, riding, swimming in the river, card games and competitive croquet. Rosie was only 20 and this unimaginable tragedy has been tough for all her family and friends. She will be so missed by all those closest to her and all her wider family and friends.

In Rosie’s memory, we are raising money for MIND, a charity dedicated to supporting mental health. We hope that through this, her light and creativity will continue to make a difference to others who need comfort and support.

Running for Alfie: Supporting CRY (Cardiac Risk in the Young):
On the 31st August Alfie tragically lost his life to SADS (Sudden Arrhythmic Death Syndrome) at just 19 years old. His heart just stopped beating. Alfie was a massive part of our family and growing up he felt like more of a brother than a friend. Some of our favourite memories together stretch from digging holes on the beach in Ile de Re and pushing each other off paddleboards, to evenings spent watching Fast & Furious and Pitch Perfect or endless games of hide-and-seek tag in Filey. He was full of energy, full of life, and deeply passionate about farming, always getting stuck in at his grandfather’s farm. Losing him has been devastating for everyone who loved him.

In his memory, his Dad has set up a Memorial fund. The money we raise will go towards screening Young People in Alfie’s name. It will be hosted locally in Wetherby and on the day 100 young people’s hearts will be tested. The tests will detect any underlying heart conditions and hopefully prevent other families losing their children - like Alfie. The cost of putting on one screening day is £7,500 and so every penny we raise for CRY will go towards this.

Our Challenges:
This year, we’re taking on a series of endurance events to honour Rosie and Alfie.
Millie will be running the Manchester Marathon on 19th April, the Leeds Marathon on 10th May, a self-organised 50km ultra marathon, and perhaps the toughest of all - running the Yorkshire Three Peaks in August.

Jack will be in Australia during the Marathon antics. However, he will be back to lead the way in running the Yorkshire Three Peaks.

Lizzie will taking on the Leeds Half Marathon on 10th May and completing the final one of the Yorkshire Three Peaks by running and walking!

We also have a host of wonderful family and friends joining in some of the running. We have two relay teams taking on the Leeds marathon and various people behind the scenes cheering us along the way. Thank you to all those people.

Running has been a constant for all of us throughout the past year - a source of focus, and purpose through some of our hardest moments. Millie has only ever run a Half marathon, Lizzie a 10km and Jack neither, so this will really put us to the test. Completing these challenges together feels like the truest way we can honour the memories of two young people who meant a lot to us as a family.

Where Your Donations Go
All donations will be split equally between MIND (for Rosie) and CRY (for Alfie). Every contribution, no matter the size, helps us celebrate their lives and supports vital work that protects and uplifts other young people.
Thank you so much for reading, supporting, and remembering Rosie and Alfie with us.
Millie, Lizzie and Jack

PS, Please see some of our lovely pictures with them below❤️