RUNNERS who took part in the Bristol 10k in memory of a young man from Thornbury have raised more than £7,900 to help bereaved families.
A team of 24 fundraisers took part in the race, part of the Great Bristol Run, on May 19 to raise funds for the Road Forward – Tyler Carley Foundation.
Tyler, who was 20, died in December when the lorry he was a passenger in overturned on the A4174 Avon Ring Road, near Mangotsfield.
The former Castle School pupil’s family set up the foundation in his memory to support charities that offer help to bereaved relatives.
The 10k was their first major fundraising event, and as of May 30 the runners had raised more than £7,900.
Tyler’s parents Gemma and Mark said: “We are overwhelmed by the love and support shown to us.
“Every penny donated will go to helping families who find themselves in the same situation as us.
“We would like to thank Sandra Davies, the landlady of the Swan pub in Thornbury for laying on food and drinks for the runners and their families after the race, and also for the help and fundraising she has done for Tyler.”
The family had originally hoped to raise £5,000 at the 10k, their first major fundraising event.
Donations can still be made online to the team’s JustGiving page.
Tyler’s dad Mark said he, Tyler’s mum Gemma and siblings Kylan, Skye and Ronni-Irene, had founded The Road Forward – Tyler Carley Foundation to support road accident victims’ families in the light of their own experience, where they were left with “literally had no support” in the immediate aftermath of his death.
The family eventually found two charities which offered help.
The first, SCARD (Support & Care After Road Death & Injury), provides a phone helpline, free counselling, legal and practical support for families affected by road deaths and serious injuries.
The second, 2Wish, supports bereaved families of children and young people aged under 25 who have died, offering counselling, home visits and ‘memory boxes’.
Mark said every penny raised would go towards charities supporting other families in a similar position, and to raise awareness of their work.
Eventually he hopes that the foundation will be able to offer help directly to local bereaved families struggling with funeral and burial costs, or living expenses after having to take time off work.
Mark also hopes to organise sessions to teach CPR at Kingswood Boxing Club, where he is a volunteer coach, after learning that passers-by tried to revive Tyler at the scene of the crash that claimed his life.
Tyler was living in Thornbury with mum Gemma and working as a scaffolder when he died.