Youngster's half-marathon effort in memory of Thrapston footballer Ben
Thrapston Town Juniors FC footballer Ben Walker died after suffering a suspected heart attack during a match aged just 15 last year.
On April 28 - exactly one year since the tragic incident - Ben’s friend Lewis Horne will run more than 13 miles in Pembrokeshire, Wales.
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Hide AdLewis, 16, said: “Me and Benji both went to the same middle school in Thrapston and we were close friends.
“His death was a shock and I wanted to do something for him.
“He was so sporty and he was good at everything – football, athletics, cricket.
“A half-marathon seemed the perfect way to remember him.”
In doing so Lewis is raising money for charity Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY), which offers subsidised ECG and echocardiogram screening to all young people between the ages of 14 and 35.
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Hide AdLewis says each screening costs about £320 and he hopes to be able to support CRY financially.
Lewis, who goes to Prince William School in Oundle and signed for Kettering Town Under-19s recently, said: “After Ben passed away the whole team went to Birmingham to have their heart scanned.
“It’s such an important thing these days as you never know what might happen.”
Lewis aimed to raise £500 but has already broken the £1,000 barrier with more than a month until he runs.
He added: “I can’t believe how many people have donated so far.”
To donate to Lewis’ cause, click here.