THE sister of a young dale farmer and motocross rider who died in a tragic accident on the track has smashed her fundraising target after running her first marathon.
Charlotte Brown raised more than £2,000 by running the Greater Manchester marathon on April 8 in memory of her brother, Thomas Brown.
Mr Brown, who lived at Marwood, was killed in a crash at a motocross event near Low Hardwick Farm, at Sedgefield, on April 30 last year. The 27-year-old suffered a broken collarbone, nine broken ribs and a punctured lung.
Despite the efforts of the Great North Air Ambulance Service team, the motocross enthusiast was pronounced dead shortly after arriving at James Cook University Hospital, in Middlesbrough.
The Thomas Brown Memorial Fund was set up by his family and friends in the weeks following his death. Before Ms Brown’s most recent efforts, almost £13,000 had been raised in her brother’s memory including £3,000 for the Great North Air Ambulance.
The family hope to raise awareness of practice track safety because they say the medical coverk the day Mr Brown died was minimal. They hope to encourage track owners to take more responsibility with the presence of medics and equipment.
They believe that had paramedics been on hand, Mr Brown’s life could have been saved.
Ms Brown, 26, set a fundraising target of £1,000 before the run but has so far raised £2,460 with donations still coming in. The money will be split between the air ambulance and the Thomas Brown Memorial Fund.
She said: “The run went well. I was a little unwell half way around but managed to keep going and finish. It was really hard but the atmosphere was great with lots of other inspirational people running for great causes.
“I think the amount of money that has been raised is brilliant. I’m very shocked at people’s generosity. I’d like to say thank you so much. It is really appreciated and the money will go to two fantastic causes.”
Ms Brown was cheered on by her mum Samantha, sister Eleanor and friends from Manchester and further afield. She ran the race wearing the number 44 on her T-shirt which was Mr Brown’s racing number.
She added: “Thomas would have been proud, a little shocked and slightly amused at the thought of me running.”
To donate visit https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/charlotte-
brown-21.
