Attack victim's friends to take on ultramarathon

Abi Brant and Freya Tyler
Image caption,

Abi Brant, left, and Freya Tyler, friends of Barnaby Webber, will take part in an ultramarathon in his memory

  • Published

Two friends of a student killed in the Nottingham attacks are to run an ultramarathon in his memory.

Barnaby Webber was one of three people killed by Valdo Calocane in the city last June.

Abi Brant and Freya Tyler both knew Barnaby from Taunton School, Somerset, and the University of Nottingham.

In November they will tackle a 53km (33 miles) charity run around Nottingham - 53 was the number Barnaby wore on his cricket shirt.

'Friendly face'

Valdo Calocane killed Barnaby and Grace O'Malley-Kumar, both 19, and 65-year-old Ian Coates on 13 June 2023.

He was given an indefinite hospital order after prosecutors accepted a plea of manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility.

Freya said: "It was just a complete shock. Losing a student the same age as us, we just feel they should be here finishing the second year with us."

Abi said: "Knowing him from a young age at school, he was always such a friendly face and he would come and say hi and make sure you were alright."

Image caption,

Barnaby Webber was a keen cricketer

Money raised by the run will go to the Barnaby Webber Foundation, which aims to support young people and grassroots cricket clubs.

Freya said: "It's a really good way of honouring him, representing his love for cricket and representing the foundation. He was a friendly, loving character."

Abi added: "It's a big distance but we're so grateful for all the donations and support so far. We've already raised more than £1,000. We're aiming for £2,000."

The pair are due to take on the run around Nottingham on 3 November which will start in Lenton and finish at the University of Nottingham campus.

They're hoping to be joined on the run by friends for 5km (3 miles) stints.

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