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‘Warrior’ is halfway to honouring tragic Alice By Samantha McGregor WEEKEND warrior William Ash is half way through a year of challenges in memory of a special friend. Technical engineer Mr Ash is hoping to raise £10,000 for charity Anthony Nolan and awareness of its Bone Marrow Donor register. His “very good friend” Alice Byron, of Launton near Bicester, who was also his twin brother’s girlfriend, died last year aged 21, after suffering from myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and later leukaemia. Now in her memory Mr Ash, 23, of Bicester, will run a total of 800 miles across 44 events. He said: “I decided to spend the whole year fundraising in honour of the same determination Alice showed in her own efforts leading up to her passing. “One event was not enough for me, and so a year seemed like a rounded timescale to work with. “I am aiming to raise £10,000 overall, but more importantly I am looking to improve awareness of the Bone Marrow Register. “Building the register is the
end goal in any case, so the fundraising would go towards facilitating that.” So far, he has completed 22 events ranging from half, full and ultra-marathons, seven Tough Mudder races, an SAS obstacle course and a national ballroom competition. Still to come is seven more marathons in places including Helsinki, Venice and Las Vegas, 10 Tough Mudder events, two half marathons, and the Four Peaks Challenge. Mr Ash said: “Before this year came around I had only just completed a half marathon, never having been a distance runner. “This year was a step into the unknown physically, with the challenge of overcoming it.” His highlight so far has been running the Bath Half marathon with friends as part of Team Alice and the London Marathon. Mr Ash calls himself the Weekend Warrior because he completes the training and events while holding down a
full-time job. He added: “I’m not sure what Alice would think, but I can hear her telling me how unnecessary I’m being doing so much. “I’d like to think she would feel happy deep down seeing me doing it all for Anthony Nolan.” To sponsor Mr Ash, go Above, Will and some team-mates on one of his challenges. to justgiving.com/William- Above left, Will with Alice who was his twin brother’s girlfirend and who died after suffering from myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and later leukaemia at just 21 years old Ash2502.
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