HUNDREDS of Islanders have taken part in a charity fun run to raise funds and awareness to support young people’s mental health in memory of a teenager who took her own life.
Run for Kezia, which was started last year in honour of Kezia Mason, yesterday saw more than 800 entrants run and walk distances of 10k, 5k and 2k starting from Jardins de la Mer.
The inaugural Run for Kezia raised £20,000 and played a big part in swelling the coffers of a charitable fund set up in the teenager’s memory, which has recently – in partnership with the Jersey Community Foundation – begun distributing grants to organisations working to help support those experiencing mental-health challenges.
The fundraising total for this year’s event will be announced in due course.
Kezia’s father, Rob, said he was ‘so grateful for everybody that signed up’ for this year’s event.
‘I’m surprised as well – I thought the big reaction would have been last year, which it was with 650 [entrants] and I thought it would have slowed this year.
‘But it’s become an event in its own right rather than a memorial, so I think as long as there is demand, then we will continue to do it – over 800 [people] today is fantastic,’ he continued.
‘It is an event that is promoting mental health while also raising some funds for charities – that is the main purpose of it now.’
Race director Alex Ruddy said this year’s turnout was ‘amazing’ and that she believed the event could be ‘even bigger next year’.
‘In fact, one of the marshals messaged me afterwards and said that she’d had some questions [from Islanders] about whether it was going to happen next year, because they would like to sign up.’
She explained that part of the event’s appeal was its inclusivity – as runners of all abilities are encouraged to take part.
‘It’s not timed; it’s not competitive – it’s supposed to be fun and anybody can enter,’ she said.
She also thanked those who attended, as well as event management companies 3D events and Stage 2 Productions.
