FAMILY runners have raised £700 in memory of four-month-old Nelle Francis.
Evan Barrand, aged 11, convinced his whole family to take part in the Ipswich Colour Dash on May 28 in honour of his cousin, who died aged just four months from spinal muscular atrophy in 2015.
Evan ran the 5k course with his mum Catie Francis, brother Dylan, Nelle’s mum Gia Fitzsimons and dad Joe Francis, and Nelle’s grandmothers June Fitzsimons and Lynne Francis. Together they have raised £700 for East Anglia’s Children’s Hospice.
Catie said: “He has wanted to do a sponsored run for ages and wanted to so something for Nelle.
“It was hard on them when she died, we are very close family and we all talk about Nelle and think of her all the time – she is still a big part of the family.
“Evan organised the run and he came first out of all 400 runners, crossing the finish line in 18 minutes.
“He and Joe had a bet going on who out of the two of them would win.
“Joe trains for Iron Man competitions and Evan beat him.
“He is over the moon.”
The Ipswich Colour Dash was held in Christchurch Park in Ipswich and saw runners pelted with paint powder as they completed the 5k course.
To contribute to Evan’s fundraising visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/EvanBarrand-CatherineFrancis
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