A RUNNING event is to be held in memory of a Leicester student who died last year whilst he was out jogging.
Runners are being invited to take part in the event, next month, in memory of De Montfort University student Adam Redfern, who was just 28 when he died of a sudden and unexpected heart attack last March 2.
The fitness enthusiast and keen footballer was out running when he died of Sudden Arrhythemic Death Syndrome, (Sads).
Fellow DMU student Abi Battisto (pictured) has launched the event ‘Run For Redfern’ as a tribute to her friend and as a way to raise funds for ‘The Adam Redfern Memorial Fund’ which was set up in his name.
So far over £22,000 has been raised for the cause.
‘Run For Redfern’ will take place at Abbey Park on March 6, and it is hoped to become an annual event.
“Adam was really into his fitness, so a running challenge felt like a fitting tribute,” explained Abi.
“He would probably laugh if he knew I was doing a running challenge,” she continued. “I’ve never been into running – I play in goal on the football pitch!
“Run for Redfern is open to everyone and anyone who would like to take part. A lot of the people who went to university with Adam now live all over the UK and some are even working overseas, so the idea was to create an event that gave people the chance to raise funds and do the run from wherever they are based.”
Abi will be taking part in the Run for Redfern challenge herself and has set a target of completing a 5km route at Abbey Park, Leicester – marking the five years Adam was part of her life at DMU.
Adam was, first as a Journalism student, then as a key member of the De Montfort Students’ Union (DSU) and, finally, as part of DMU communications team, an integral part of the university’s community for almost a decade.
Donations to The Adam Redfern Memorial Fund, will enable ambitious students to pursue Adams passions and will help to boost their career opportunities with the support of the university through dedicated scholarships, bursaries and monetary awards.
The fund also aims to shine a light and raise awareness of SADS (sudden arrhythmic death syndrome), when someone dies suddenly following a cardiac arrest and no obvious cause can be found.
Those taking part in the run are welcome to run a distance of their choice and from wherever they are based.
“There is no pressure for anyone taking part to run long distance. We just want people to run for as long and as far as they are comfortable with,” said Abi.
“If they want to make it extra special, they could choose a significant number linked to Adam – for example they could do 2km to mark his birthday of 2nd January, 9.3km for his birth year, or 15km for his football shirt number,” she added.
To find out more, or to get involved in ‘Run for Redfern’, visit: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/adamsfund
