FROME College Year 13 student, Fern Andrews, will run the Bath Half Marathon this weekend, in memory of Lauren Mead, who died suddenly in her sleep last year at the age of 19.
Fern is raising money for SADS UK, a charity that aims to prevent loss of life from sudden arrhythmia death syndrome (SADS), by highlighting cardiac risk in the young through to middle aged; and also funding life saving equipment and research into SADS.
Fern told Frome Times, “I used to dance with Lauren when we were younger. I’ve also grown up with, and I am good friends with, her brother Patrick. I had already got a place for Bath Half and initially I wasn’t running for a charity. But when Lauren tragically passed away, I wanted to raise money for SADS UK and thought that there wasn’t a better opportunity than the Bath Half Marathon.
“It’s quite a mixed bundle of emotions, on one hand I’m nervous and overwhelmed because it’s a run in memory of Lauren and I want to do it for everyone who’s donated, her family and friends and most of all, Lauren who’s looking down, proud.
“But then on the other hand, I’m excited and I just can’t wait to do it with the atmosphere of everyone watching and cheering you on. I also know the route itself has a few more inclines and is a bit more demanding than what I’m used to, so I’m making good use of the hills in Frome for training.
“I like personal challenges and doing things that you wouldn’t necessarily do on a daily basis. It’s a local, well known run that gets a lot of support every year.
“I do enjoy running and general sport and fitness. I go to the gym often and have always liked to push myself. At the start of last October I ran the Bournemouth Half Marathon, so Bath will be my second. I’ve also run fell runs before such as the 8-Mile Charmouth Challenge, which is along the Jurassic Coast in Dorset.
Fern will tackle the Bath Half Marathon this Sunday, 15th March. If you would like to support her, please pledge to her JustGiving page via www.justgiving.com/fundraising/fern-andrews1
