A run for your money
If you’re planning on being more active come the New Year you could do worse than follow the example set by the indefatigable bunch who fundraise for us and raise awareness of meningitis under the banner of Team Alexis Rose
Already (and they’re promising there’s more to come) they have three runs planned in January, one in February, one in March, a leg-wearying four in April and a few more later in the year, just for good measure.
Highlight of the dates announced so far is the Winter Warmer event in Glasgow on 5 February, the 12th anniversary of the death of Alan and Ruth Glynn’s young daughter Alexis Rose from meningitis. It’s in her memory that the couple formed Team Alexis Rose, which now has supporters across the UK and around the world.
It’ll be a tough and emotional day for team founder Alan, who’s taking on the half marathon, but the spirit and ethos of support that runs through all those involved in Team Alexis Rose will carry him forward and see him over the finishing line.
Beautiful baby daughter
Alexis Rose was just 19-months-old when she became ill in 2011. Alan told us: “Alexis Rose, our beautiful baby daughter, was 19 months old when she died very suddenly of meningitis.
“She had bags of personality and was by nature a fighter – born nearly three months early and weighing 2lb 12 ounces, she spent a while in hospital alongside her twin sister Christina, but quickly grew in strength.
“She was always laughing and making us laugh. We will never forget her toothy smile and the way she would look over to make sure people were watching before she did something naughty.
“She was so happy and healthy and we never dreamed that anything could ever take her away from us, but meningitis ended her life within hours.
“We decided to continue Alexis’s fight and refuse to let meningitis beat us, by raising money and awareness of this disease for Meningitis Now.”
Latest in long line of challenges
The series of runs next year is the latest in a long line of challenges that the amazing people who make up Team Alexis have set themselves over the years. These include a virtual John O’Groats to Land’s End challenge in 2021 and 19 x 5k walks or runs a month throughout 2022, as well as the Leeds Half Marathon and the long-distance West Highland Way walk.
The runs already lined up alongside Glasgow for next year are: Last Mince Pie 5k in Alan’s home town of Perth on 2 January; Loch Morlich 10k, 7 January; Falkirk Epic 10k Trail Race, 14 January; Edinburgh Winter Warmer 10k, 4 February; Calendar 10k, 12 March; London Landmarks Half Marathon, 2 April; Paris Marathon, 2 April; Manchester Marathon, 16 April; Balmoral 15-mile Trail Race, 23 April; Leeds Marathon, 14 May; Loch Ness Marathon, 1 October; and Falkirk Half Marathon, 19 November. Phew!
And if that wasn’t enough they’re also throwing a long-distance walk into the mix. At 79 miles The Great Glen Way is one of Scotland’s great trails taking in the beauty and sometimes turbulent history of the Highlands. From Fort William to Inverness the landscape is littered with fascinating historical sites from the Old Fort of Fort William (strategically important in the Jacobean rebellion), to the medieval Urquhart Castle, home to Robert the Bruce in the early 1300s.
The team will be walking the trail between 1 and 4 September next year. Look out for the special Team Alexis Rose T-shirts and give them a cheer.
Anyone who would like to join Team Alexis Rose to take part in The Great Glen Way walk or any of the other events, or just to sponsor or support them, is welcome to do so – just get in touch with Alan on alan14@live.co.uk or on Instagram @team¬_alexis_rose for details.
Energy they bring to the fight
Our Executive Founder, Steve Dayman, said: “We’re so grateful to Alan and Ruth and everyone who is part of Team Alexis Rose for the energy they bring to our fight to defeat meningitis in the UK within a generation. With them on the team how can we fail?”
Team Alexis Rose has already raised £200,000 to fight meningitis and has no plans to stop anytime soon.
Alan added: “We’re more determined than ever. We refuse to let meningitis beat us. We’ll continue to raise awareness of the signs and symptoms of the disease and funds for Meningitis Now to fight back against it.
“It’s all about trying to make people aware and educate them and we will continue to do this as much as we can.”
Team Alexis Rose is grateful for the generous sponsorship provided by JBC Joiners for 2023 and beyond.
