Final charity run in memory of teenager to be held

Saskia (left), Tilly (centre), and Lily (right) came up with Run for Kezia in memory of their friend

A charity run held in memory of a Jersey teenager will be held for the final time on Sunday.

Run for Kezia was set up after Kezia Mason took her own life in 2022 when she was 14 years old.

The idea for the event came from her school friends and has raised about £35,000.

The teenagers are now preparing for university so this year will be the third and last time the run will go ahead.

'Mixed emotions'

Hundreds of people have completed either the 2km (1.2 miles), 5km (3.1 miles) and 10km (6.2 miles) course at the Waterfront.

The money raised from the event has gone to Kezia’s Fund which was set up to support charities that provide mental health and wellbeing assistance to children.

Organisers hope this year they will reach the £50,000 fundraising mark to continue the work being supported by the fund.

More than 800 runners took part in the first Run for Kezia event in 2022

Lily, Saskia and Tilly came up with the idea for the memorial run.

Lily said there were "definitely mixed emotions" that the event would finish this year but "it's really nice to have everyone together for it".

She added: "We knew so many people loved Kezia, but the sheer amount of people that did come to the first run was almost overwhelming."

Saskia said the friends were "really proud that it’s got such an important message about mental health out there".

Tilly said this year’s run would have a "bittersweet feeling" but "it's time to have different events and different ways to raise money in Kezia’s honour".

She added: "There's like a lot of firsts we've gone through without Kezia and it feels weird but I feel like we're carrying her legacy with us as her friends and doing what we can to keep her legacy alive."

Run for Kezia will take place from 08:00 to 15:00 BST on 15 September.

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