In 2 weeks’ time myself and my eldest son, James are embarking on a rather large challenge to say the least. We are competing in the Marbella Half Iron-Man

https://www.ironman.com/im703-marbella

The challenge consists of 1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike ride (up the mountains) and ½ Marathon (13.1mile run). James is 20 years old, and I have entered my 50’s but you know me, I love a challenge… BUT more importantly the reason why we are both doing it, is even more poignant and extremely close to our hearts.

I’m sure most of you reading this will have remembered the Nottingham attacks in June 2023. Well, that day shocked the nation and changed my family’s lives. Grace O’Malley-Kumar who horrifically lost her life that day was my son, James’ best friend. Her parents Sanjoy and Sinead are two of Helen & I's closest friends.

So to do something in memory of Grace, felt an absolute must, however hard that challenge may be. We as a family are continually committed to Grace’s legacy and all that she represented. She was a beautiful human being, inside and out and to us, that knew her, her kindness, empathy and compassion shone through. She was like the daughter we never had.

The Grace O’Malley-Kumar Foundation was set up with Grace’s morals and characteristics at its core.

Please check out https://graceomalleykumarfoundation.org/ for more information. Here’s just a brief description of the aims.

The Grace O’Malley-Kumar Foundation is dedicated to supporting young individuals in their academic and sporting endeavours, promoting community service, and fostering a spirit of kindness and resilience that Grace exemplified.

Our areas of focus will be through sport and education we will make sure no child feels left out or lonely, ensuring that everyone is happy. Grace made sure that no one ever felt left out.

Our goal is to make sure that no child ever feels lonely, coming home from school and they have no one to talk to. This is what it truly means to be more like Grace, to look out for everyone and what we want to do.

We would be so incredibly grateful for any donations that enables us to keep Grace’s memory alive forever and a lasting legacy. James desperately misses his best friend, we all do. She has made an indescribable impact on our lives and we hope the Foundation can do the same for others.

Thank you.

Stuart, James and all the Knight Family