Headteacher appeals for donors to back epic memorial challenge

A HEADTEACHER has taken on a charity challenge to run 2,017km in a year in memory of a 13-yearold who died in a tragic accident.

Anthony Tierney, 40, wants to complete the mammoth challenge to honour the life of Aidan Bancroft who died after an accident at home.

Mr Tierney has completed just over 1,700km of running in the first 10 months of the year, mainly alongside his loyal dog, Betty.

He is on track to achieve his ambitious goal and has already raised nearly £4,000 of his £5,000 target for Sheffield Children’s Hospital who cared for Aiden after the accident.

The headteacher said: “He and my son were born days apart so they grew up together.

“It was such a terrible loss for the whole family when Aidan died that I needed to show my support somehow.”

Aidan’s parents, Gail and James Bancroft, had led a fundraising effort to support the hospital since their tragic loss last year and had set a target of £33,668.73 to buy much-needed equipment for the hospital’s intensive care unit.

Aidan was the goal-keeper for the Hathersage under-14 football team. He had been coached by Mr Tierney since the team had started at Under 8 level.

Mr Tierney said: “The football club and the whole community has been devastated by his loss.”

Mr Tierney is urging the community to get behind him on the last leg of his trek and donate to the cause.

To donate to the fund or to find out more information about the charity challenge you can visit www.justgiving. com/2017kmin2017 or www.facebook.com/2017in2017