Anna Siddall
Anna's Bupa Great Birmingham Run 2013 page
Fundraising for Cardiac Risk in the Young
Story
Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.
Like many others here, the sole reason I am doing the Great Birmingham Run 2013 is in memory of a great friend, Kevin Paterson, who tragically died after finishing the run last year.
I first met Kev back in 2004 when I interviewed for a job at KPMG. Little did I know that the person I was to meet would become one of my very best friends. I have never met anyone as universally liked and respected as Kev. He was the most kind-hearted, open and honest person you could ever hope to meet. I think the fact that we sat next to each other for over 5 years and never once fell out says everything. He had such a huge personality and an infectious zest for life. I loved how passionate he was about sport (especially of the American variety) It was the one thing I didn't dare tease him about. I never had to ask how the 49ers had done the previous night, his face would say it all!
The last time I saw Kev was the day of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Concert on 4 June 2012. I was living in the USA at the time, but was on a visit back to the UK. Kev offered to host a Jubilee BBQ at his house, complete with rather nice red, white and blue cocktails. That day I reminded him that we had known each other for over 8 years. Kev said, "8 years? Is that all? Seems like longer." I could never decide if that was a good thing or not.
I wouldn't call myself a runner, and haven't run further than 5 miles since school. I currently do 5k a couple of times a week, but that's it. I've never done anything as crazy as a half-marathon before, but will finish it even if I'm crawling down the street a week on Tuesday. I know he would laugh at me for doing this run. I don't care, Kev. I'm doing it anyway!
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