Last year our sensational Oli Collins ran the London Landmarks Half - and the wonderfully jammy and brilliant man ran it in a decent time despite NEVER training. How on earth did he do that?!

That was Oli. He was the best person, who always managed to turn things around.

Our Oli Collins passed away on 3rd June last year completely unexpectedly.

So a couple of us thought it would be good idea to something he absolutely hated to celebrate this incredible, silly, loving man... and go on a big run.

Hana, Robert and Mike (aka Spoony) will be taking on the London Landmarks Half Marathon on 7th April 2024 in memory of our King Collins.

Han:

London is Oli. It'll be so moving running through his city and past so many places we built memories, including our cherished St Paul's. Alongside that, I'll also be thinking of rubbing emergency voltarol on his calves whilst frantically cheering him on outside Cannon Street station in 2023.

Running has absolutely saved me whilst working through this horrible mess that is grief. It's made me feel competent when I feel like I can't do anything without him. Ols was always so proud of all my fundraising bits and pieces - I just wish he was here to rub my calves this time around.

Robert:

Oli and I are similar when it comes to exercise. The most we do is walking to the pub and back! He amazed me when he said he was running a half marathon. I doubted him completely, but in typical Oli Collins way he smashed it. I’m doing this in spirit and the typical Oli Collins way. I just wish he was here so I can tell him I was faster than him.

Mike:

Heading to London to see Oli were some of the best times in our friendship. I miss our silly evenings dancing to Ian Dury & Chas and Dave in the flat. I also miss exploring London with him, taking me to his favourite places & seeing our favourite bands. To be able to run in the capital seeing the landmarks with Hana and Robert in memory of our King Collins will be very special indeed.

Last year Oli ran the landmark half marathon. I was surprised, as I never had him down as a runner meaning I wasn’t surprised to see his smug grin after hearing he didn’t train. I’ve been running for two years now, I better beat his time….

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Oli really enjoyed working at VA and it'll be amazing (albeit tiring) to follow in his footsteps fundraising for them this year.

Thank you so much in advance for all your support,

Han, Robert and Mike.

xxx

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