Youngster is clocking up miles in sister’s memory
Seven-year-old Harrison is running 16 miles to raise funds for charity
A seven-year-old is going the extra mile for charity in memory of the sister he never got to meet.
Harrison King, who lives with his family in Downswood, is running 25.8km during October to raise money for Aching Arms.
The distance (equating to just over 16 miles) is a tribute to the King family’s second child, Sienna, who was tragically stillborn on August 25, 2014.
Aching Arms sends out teddy bears to bereaved families, working with 40 hospitals nationwide. The charity has sent out more than 1,000 bears in the last year.
The King family were among the recipients.
Since the start of the month, Madginford Primary pupil Harrison has run 10km, mostly in 2km or 3km stints.
He said: “I have wanted to do something for Sienna for a while, but didn’t know what, until I heard about this challenge.”
Harrison is joined by his father, Martin, who runs to keep fit and has passed on his enthusiasm to his son.
The 41-year-old has completed the Brighton, Nottingham, Liverpool and London marathons in the last four years, with a personal best of three hours and one minute.
Martin and his wife Hazel experienced heartbreak when Sienna was stillborn at 36 weeks after a healthy pregnancy.
Harrison was only six at the time, and struggled to understand what had happened.
Mrs King said: “I had gone into the maternity unit with reduced movements, and I was told there was no heartbeat.
“After we lost Sienna, we needed something in her memory, something to hold and give us comfort, and we were given an Aching Arms bear.”
Thankfully the family has been able to welcome a new addition
‘I have wanted to do something for Sienna for a while, but didn’t know what, until I heard about this challenge’
recently after the heartbreak of losing their daughter, and Jacob, who is nearly one, is enjoying cheering his brother on through his challenge.
Harrison has so far raised £130, smashing his target of £100. This money will provide 13 bears to bereaved families around the country.
To donate, go to http:// tinyurl.com/King258.