A FRIEND of a former Mangotsfield School pupil who was killed in a lorry crash has completed a month-long fundraising challenge.
Adam Young pledged to run 5k every day in May in memory of Tyler Carley, who died aged 20 in December when the lorry he was a passenger in overturned on the Avon Ring Road near Mangotsfield.
Adam, a fellow Bristol Rovers fan who got to know Tyler and his dad Mark from attending away games with them, embarked on the challenge because he was abroad on the day when other friends and relatives of Tyler took part in the Great Bristol 10k to raise money for the foundation set up in his memory.
Adam, who grew up in Downend and is now living in Chipping Sodbury, ran a total of 155km over the course of the month, including several runs during a trip to Lanzarote.
He did the other runs around Pucklechurch, Yate and Sodbury, finishing on Chipping Sodbury Rugby Club’s parkrun 5k route.
Adam was running for a total of 12 hours 15 minutes and 51 seconds and, as the Voice went to print, had raised more than £1,300 on his JustGiving page, which is still open for donations at tinyurl.com/dffmwdbz.
Adam, who works at Bristol Airport, said: “It was a really enjoyable experience, the support I received from people was beyond what I imagined and I am very grateful for that.
“To smash my fundraising target was incredible, and I can’t thank people enough for donating.
“The toughest part of the month was running after my shifts – my energy was always low, so I really had to dig deep to get those runs done.
“Having my friends and family at the finish line for my final run was a very nice feeling and an emotional moment. I haven’t run since!”
Tyler’s dad Mark, mum Gemma and siblings Kylan, Skye and Ronni-Irene founded The Road Forward – Tyler Carley Foundation to support road accident victims’ families in the light of their own experience.
Its initial fundraising will go to two charities which helped the family in the aftermath of Tyler’s death: SCARD (Support & Care After Road Death & Injury), which provides a helpline, counselling and other support for families affected by road deaths and serious injuries, and 2Wish, which supports the families of children and young people who have passed away.
Among those who ran in the 10k was Tyler’s aunt Abbie Dickinson, who works at Emersons Green Village Hall.
Abbie said taking part in the event was “hard but truly special”.
She said: “Lots of Tyler’s loved ones were all together, running to raise money for The Road Forward – Tyler Carley Foundation.
“I managed to complete the 10k in 59 minutes, which was a personal best for me.
“Thank you to everyone who sponsored me and to my Manager Nikki Frost at Emersons Green Village Hall for her support.”
On July 7 Tyler’s mum Gemma, her family and friends will be climbing Welsh mountain Pen y Fan to raise money for 2wish.
More details of fundraising activity can be found at the Road Forward – Tyler Carley Foundation Facebook page.
*A 37-year-old man arrested in connection with Tyler’s death was later released under investigation. Police say their enquiries into the circumstances of the collision are ongoing.