I am running the Manchester Marathon on the 8th April 2018. Earlier that week on the 2nd April should have been my brother Thomas’s 28th birthday, but he sadly died on the 30th April 2017. Therefore, I am running in Thomas’s memory. Thomas tragically died in a motocross accident at a practice event. . He was funny, bright, bubbly guy who always full of life. He is missed by all of his family and his many friends, which through racing spread around the world. I will be raising money jointly for the Great North Air ambulance (a fantastic organisation) and the Thomas Brown Memorial Fund.

Despite motocross being a dangerous sport, the medical cover on the track the day Thomas died was minimal. We are increasingly led to believe that had paramedics been on hand Thomas’ life could have been saved. Paramedics at practice events are only recommended not legally required. The Thomas Brown Memorial Fund was set up in Thomas’s memory to raise awareness about track safety, and to campaign for higher levels of medical cover to be a legal requirement on all motocross tracks. By doing this we hope to help prevent tragedies like Thomas death being repeated. In September 2017 a memorial weekend was held by the charity where friends and family could enjoy racing while remembering Thomas, the charity also hopes to hold this race meet every year for Thomas.

I have never ran a Marathon before and I imagine the next few months are going to be tough, so dig deep and please support two fantastic causes.

Charlotte xx