POP stars, world-famous DJs and musical theatre stars have grouped together to encourage Islanders to take part in a charity run in memory of a teenager who took her own life.
DJ Fatboy Slim, singer Pixie Lott and Jersey-born performance poet Christian Foley are among the celebrities taking part in a video promoting the event in honour of Kezia Mason – a 14-year-old Jersey College for Girls student who died in March.
Run for Kezia, which is being organised by her friends with the aim of raising awareness of mental health and raising money for charity, will take place on the Waterfront on Saturday 10 September and includes a 2k, 5k and 10k run.
Kezia’s favourite band, The Rare Occasions, were also included in the video and they urged Islanders to get involved, saying: ‘We wanted to encourage you to take part in the Run for Kezia and raise some money for charity in her honour.’
And Singer Pixie Lott, who has scored three No 1 singles in the UK charts, also showed her support for the event by encouraging Islanders to ‘get on board… by running or walking with your friends and family’.
Children, families and runners of all ages are encouraged to run from Jardins de la Mer across the Waterfront, to get active while bringing attention to young people’s mental health in Jersey.
Musical-theatre star Michael Jibson said: ‘Get out there, get lots of fresh air and it’s really, really good for your mental health to do all this brilliant exercise!’
The event is being organised by friends Lily Barker, Tilly Welsh and Saskia Ruddy. The money raised by the event will be added to a crowd-funding appeal in support of teenage mental health, set up by Kezia’s brother, Ben Mason, which has reached over £100,000.
Friends and family of Kezia will be attending the event but are welcoming as many participants as possible.
Alex Ruddy, parent of Kezia’s friend Saskia, said: ‘We are focusing our energies on awareness, not necessarily money. We want as many people as possible to join in and exercise, as it is good for mental health.’
She continued: ‘The day will be really emotional for Kezia’s friends. All of them are 100% behind it and involved in the organisation.
‘The girls have been overwhelmed by the support from a lot of people and are grateful to the sponsors [of the event].’
Local companies sponsoring the run are Oben Law & Regulatory, Fungi Delecti, Triverto and Grant Thornton.
Islanders can register for the run and donate at race-nation.co.uk/register/run-for-kezia/2022.
