A cousin and friend of late Eden teenager Jack Taylor will both go the extra mile — 48 of them, in fact — to raise money in his memory.
Jack, a well known local footballer who played for Penrith AFC Reserves and harboured hopes of joining the police force, died in a road collision near the town in May, 2021, at the age of 19.
A cousin of Jack’s, Luke Boyle, and his good friend Cam Prokas, are currently planning a gruelling fund-raising running challenge. This is due to get under way on Saturday, 11th February, early in a year in which Jack would have turned 21
“It will be a brutal one,” said Luke, who is 26 and manages Westmorland League first division side Kirkoswald. “We’re running four miles every four hours for 48 hours.”
This was originally the brainchild of ex-Navy Seal and ultra-runner David Goggins.
Luke and Cam will pound the Penrith streets following a yet-to-be confirmed route. It is hoped friends, other Kirkoswald football players and Jack’s father, Alan, will take part in at least one of the four-mile legs.
Luke is an account manager at Heaton’s Group in Penrith, while 25-year-old Cam, who plays football for Penrith AFC and Wetheriggs United first teams, is a barber at BB’s gents’ hair stylist at Little Dockray.
So far, they have raised almost £3,000 for the Great North Air Ambulance Service.
“We gave donations to the GNAAS at Jack’s funeral. It’s a great cause and that’s the reason I’m going with it again. You never know when you might need it,” said Luke.
There has also been support for Luke and Cam from Mountain Fuel, of Keswick, in the form of energy foods to keep them going during the 48-challenge.
To donate, visit their Gofundme page Run for Jack, https://gofund.me/55e457b0
