With our success in the Cardiff Half Marathon 2009 and 2011, part of TEAM CRAIG have decided to run again this year (2013) to raise money for the Welsh Air Ambulance in memory of Craig Owen, who sadly passed away August 3rd 2008, aged 16.

 

Craig was a popular 16 year old boy from North Wales, Wrexham. Craig had just sat his GCSE's at Ysgol Bryn Alyn and was due to pick up his results 3 weeks after the tragedy happened. His results were fantastic, outstanding in fact - 5 A*s and 5 A's each in different subjects. These results truly reflected Craig's ability academically, but it wasn’t just school that shown his strengths – other things he enjoyed were; sports, having a laugh and basically just being Craig. His passion for Rugby was very strong, and supported Wales and played for Ysgol Bryn Alyn. Craig had a brilliant sense of humour and always had a laugh and would constantly make you laugh. He never stopped smiling and that was his trademark - his smile.

 

We have chosen to raise money for the Welsh Air Ambulance as this is the organisation that supported Craig, and helped to rescue him from the accident in Pembrey, South Wales. Past and present pupils at Ysgol Bryn Alyn put together a comity in order to organise fun events in memory of Craig, which also raised money for the Welsh Air Ambulance, a total over £1,000. Friends and family of Craig raised around £20,000 for the Air Ambulance by putting together annual concerts in Brymbo Cricket Club, Wrexham. The concert consisted of different bands and solo artists, which were friends of Craig's. TEAM CRAIG has run the Cardiff Half Marathon twice; in 2009 and 2013, raising over £4,000. So as you can see, through these events, the Welsh Air Ambulance is close to the hearts of anyone and everyone who knew Craig, especially his family and friends. Hopefully this will be an on-going commitment to help the Welsh Air Ambulance help others.

 

Just so you know where your money is going, who it helps and where it helps, each time the Air Ambulance is sent out it costs approximately £1,200 a time, and is sent out on average 1000 times a year, which means that the charity will need to raise over £5,000,000 a year to operate this service. The Welsh Air Ambulance is not funded by the government, and is all dependent on donations from the public.

 

There are 2 of us running the half marathon, including Andrew Wynne (Dad of Craig’s Best Mate) and Shaun Edwards (a family friend) who are helping to organise this event with sponsorships, training and more! We chose the Lake Vyrnwy Half Marathon because Craig was Welsh and proud and regularly went on holiday to Vyrnwy, he enjoyed biking around the lake. We would all be grateful if you would donate to help us raise as much money as possible for the Welsh Air Ambulance to help them to save as many lives as possible.

 

Every donation counts - so please help us raise this money for a great charity and for an amazing lad; Craig Owen!

 

Thank you for your support and a big thank you for those who have donated to us for the Cardiff Half Marathon (2009 & 2011) and also at the Brymbo Cricket Club Concert 5 years running (organised by Craig's cousin).