Friends run in memory of tragic schoolboys

12:20pm Friday 11th April 2008

Comments (2)   Have your say »

FRIENDS of two schoolboys who died in a crash have raised money for charity through a sponsored run in their memory.

Jonathan Sharples and Daniel Harrison were killed when the Ford Ka they were travelling in hit a tree in Old Kiln Lane, Heaton, last December.

Friends Nick Holt, Anthony Murray and Rob Jones organised a sponsored fancy dress charity run, which took place on March 8, the day after what would have been Jonathan's 18th birthday.

More than 200 family and friends of the youngsters gathered at Bolton Arena's outdoor running track to take part in the fundraising event.

Six of the boys' closest friends dressed as the cast of Top Gun and members of Bolton Rugby Club, where Daniel played, joined Bolton School pupils for the event.

Tom Waugh, a friend of both boys, said: "It was a thoroughly enjoyable experience in memory of two great lads who meant a lot to all who knew them."

The money raised will be split between the trauma unit at the Royal Bolton Hospital where Jonathan was treated after the accident, Children With Leukaemia, the charity which benefited from the Berlin Marathon in which Jonathan was planning to take part, and a charity of Daniel's parents choice, which has yet to be decided.

Daniel's friend Lucas Gaynor ran the furthest - 14,000 metres.