Big day of fun planned in memory of Riley Plant (From York Press)
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Big day of fun planned in aid of Smiley Riley Fund UK
7:42am Monday 18th March 2013 in Fundraising fun
By Mark Stead, mark.stead@thepress.co.uk
Riley Plant
MORE than 13,000 York children and their families have been invited to take part in a fundraising race in memory of a brave little boy who lost his fight against cancer.
Riley Plant died last September, aged only 21 months, after a battle against a rare and incurable brain tumour. His courage inspired his family to form the Smiley Riley Fund UK.
The fund was originally set up to raise money for Riley, from Burnholme, along with his parents Gavin and Lindsay and sisters Ebony and Kelsy to enjoy a dream Disney holiday, but the severity of his illness meant this was not possible.
However, donations have now spiralled to about £37,500 and the fund has become a brain tumour charity.
A Run and Fun Day is to be held next month to further boost funds for the charity, which pays living and travel costs for parents and carers of children undergoing chemotherapy.
The event, at Mille Crux playing fields, off Haxby Road, will be held on April 28 and is being supported by City of York Council, with four races for children of different ages alongside family activities.
Each child will receive a medal for taking part and there will be prizes for the winners and the youngster who raises the most money through sponsorship. After the races, which will cover 100m, 400m, 800m and 1,200m depending on age, children will be able to enjoy a treasure hunt, a splat-the-rat contest, rides and bouncy castles.
Simone Potter, Riley’s grandmother and one of the fund’s founders, said: “The Run and Fun Day is a great way to raise money for this really worthy cause - it’s something we feel really strongly about and we want to create a lasting legacy for Riley.
“We welcome as many children as possible and hope they will bring their families with them to cheer them on.”
Entry to the event, which starts at midday, is £3 per child. Parents can attend for free. All money raised goes to the fund.
To register, phone Jeanette Ashes-Husband on 07973 358186 or Simone Potter on 07818 506476, contact your child’s school or sign up on the day. More information at smileyrileyfund.co.uk
