Firstly I would like to thank the hundreds of you who have already donated to our chosen charity - Cardiac Risk in the Young - and helped raise over £18,000 in just one month! (see www.justgiving.com/katrinabrown). Thank you so much for your generosity and your wonderful messages.
Between 50 and 100 of Katrina's family, friends (from Sevenoaks, London and Sutton Coldfield) and colleagues (from Chubb Insurance) have taken up the challenge to take part in the Nike 10k 'Run London' event on 8th October (the day after Katrina's birthday), in order to raise more funds for CRY (www.c-r-y.org.uk). I do feel bad asking for more money just a few weeks after many of you have already been so generous, but even if you are able to donate a few pounds, we feel we could raise another £10,000 for this worthy cause. This money and what we have already raised will go towards raising awareness of cardiac risk in the young, funding medical research into sudden cardiac death, donating cardiac equipment to hospitals and doctor's surgeries, supporting a national heart screening programme, funding the centre for Sports Cardiology at the British Olympic Medical Centre, and helping families affected by sudden cardiac death.
Katrina collapsed and died on 2nd July this year immediately after we had completed the British 10k run in London. Her death was caused by a heart condition which neither Katrina or her family knew about. What makes Katrina's death even harder to come to terms with is that she was only 30 years old and fanatical about leading a healthy life-style - eating incerdibly heathily and enjoying yoga, swimming, jogging and tennis on a regular basis - and I'm sure we would have been running together in this event had she still been here.
To describe Katrina in a short paragraph is impossible - she had so many amazing qualities and gave so much to those she loved and cared for. Radiantly beautiful, incredibly intelligent, amazingly thoughtful and kind - Katrina was an inspiration to so many. She was so full of life and was always looking ahead, searching for her next challenge and tackling it without fear. Whether you were lucky enough to have known Katrina for many years or had just met her, she made you feel special and was truly interested in hearing what you had to say. Katrina was a loving sister and daughter, a wonderful wife and the best friend you could hope to make.
We all miss Katrina desperately but she will remain in our hearts forever.
Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Cardiac Risk in the Young will receive your money faster and, if you are a UK taxpayer, an extra 28% in tax will be added to your gift at no cost to you.
Many thanks for your support.
Love from James and the whole of 'Team Katrina'.
I am please to report that yesterday around 70 of Katrina's friends, family and work colleagues managed to make it to the start line in time and complete the 10k course around Hyde Park, the majority standing out amongst the green and orange waves of runners in our light blue (boys) and light pink (girls) t-shirts showing Katrina's beautiful, glowing face on the front and the CRY logo on the reverse.
Times varied from an incredible 42 minutes to just over the hour mark, but it was the number of friends, family and colleagues who turned out that made the day so special and one which Katrina would have truely loved - a long, healthy jog in a beautiful park in London followed by drinks and chatting with so many people who she held so close to her heart.
I would like to thank all those people who donated so generously, all those who came out to clap and cheer us all around the course, and all those who took up the challenge to Run London with me in memory of my beloved wife Katrina - thank you so much.
