Thomas runs for his brother’s memory
A five-year-old has set himself a 17-mile running challenge in his brother’s name to help families just like his.
Thomas Dale, from Shotton Colliery, plans to jog a mile a day from tomorrow. He will be raising funds for Sunderland charity 4Louis, celebrating his sixth birthday on the fifth day of his feat.
His brother Jayden sadly died on July 17, 2013, when mum Zoe was 24-weeks pregnant.
The family has since worked to set up Shotton’s Little Angels, a network of parents who work to support each other through baby loss.
Leeds United fan and Shotton Colts Under 7s player Thomas has already raised £1,280 for the charity, which also supports families through the death of a baby.
He will also be remembering his grandmother Susan Carol Banks, who died of cancer last August, aged 52.
Zoe, 24, and husband John, 29, are also parents to Jack, four.
They hope their community will get behind Our Lady of Lourdes Primary School pupil Thomas, with as many people as possible invited to turn out on his last day to clap and cheer him over the line as he completes his lap at Shotton Park at around 5.30pm.
Zoe said: “Thomas has always known about Jayden and we talk about Jayden all the time and Thomas goes to his grave and speaks to him.
"He came and said to me that he wanted to raise some money for Jayden and we talked about what he wanted to do and we said why don’t you run around Shotton Park.
"It’s a big field and he’s going to do a mile around it every day.
"Thomas is really excited about it and keeps asking me to look at the Just Giving page to see how much is on there now.
"It’s lovely to see the total going up and now much it’s pushing him on.
"He’s had a hard year because my mam passed away last August and she and Thomas were really close and with the lockdown and not being able to go to school.”
The target of 17 miles has been chosen as Jayden’s birthday was July 17.
Anyone who would like to add to the fund can donate via https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/anne-marie-banks1.