Teenager’s big dash in memory of tragic friend

A TEENAGER is raising thousands of pounds in memory of a friend who was found dead in the sea.

Jago Ford wanted to run from Cornwall to Loughborough as a fund-raising stunt and to raise awareness of Young Minds, a charity specialising in young people’s mental health.

Due to campsites being shut because of coronavirus, he had to run the equivalent distance of just under 300 miles instead, finishing the feat last week at Loughborough College.

His friend – whom he asked us not to name - was found dead in the sea near to cliffs in Cornwall in June.

The cause of the death has not yet been established.

Jago, 18, had known his friend throughout his life, from baby classes in their first months in Cornwall until, more recently, playing rugby together.

Jago said: “No one knows exactly what happened to him – it’s possible he fell by accident.

“When we found out he had washed up on a beach it was devastating for all of us who had known him.

“My aim was to create awareness for the others around him about Young Minds, which is a mental health charity, and raise money.”

Jago, who recently finished a sports science course at Loughborough and is about to start a sports psychology degree at Liverpool, initially set out to raise £1,500 for Young Minds but his total is already above £2,200 and still rising.

After 14 days of running he completed his epic journey at Loughborough Rugby Club on Monday.

He said he knew many young people were struggling with their mental health because of the lockdown and it was important people knew what help was out there.

He said: “I’ve another friend who has been struggling over the last two years so mental health is a subject close to my heart.

“This has affected many people around and close to me throughout recent years.

“Lockdown during Covid has made it worse and created a much bigger struggle for a lot of people.”

Jago, who played in Loughborough College’s Rugby Academy during his past two years in Leicestershire, pounded 21 miles a day for 14 consecutive days from September 1, all the while mapping his progress on his social media channels.

■ To find out more about Young Minds, visit: