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Hilary’s personal tribute to bullied nephew

20/04/2009

Kidscape’s London Marathon team this year has one runner with a particularly personal reason for taking part. In June 2008 Sam Leeson, aged just 13, hanged himself after suffering months of bullying. He was the victim of bullying and cyberbullying and was one of over 15 teenagers to take their lives in 2008 as a result of this devastating form of abuse.

Sam’s aunt, Hilary Wilkinson, is running the Marathon for Kidscape to increase awareness of the devastating effect bullying can have on young people, and to raise money for Kidscape’s work with bullied children and their families. Hilary said: “It has been a long 10 months since Sam died so suddenly without any warning. We all miss him terribly and our family and lives will never be the same again. I really wish he could have spoken out and told us was happening and how he felt; told one of his sisters or brother or Mum or Dad. I am raising money for Kidscape as we want to stop families going through what we have. I want to try and save other desperate teenagers who are being bullied, who are too ashamed to speak out, and who take their own lives as the easy option’.

Hilary’s dedication to supporting Kidscape by taking part in the country’s most famous road race was dealt a cruel blow in early April when she tripped and fell, breaking 2 bones in her foot. Despite this, and with her foot in plaster, Hilary will be taking to London’s streets on April 26th, even though it will mean walking the route rather than running as originally planned. “I’m not giving up,” said Hilary. “It’s a real disappointment that I won’t be able to run but I am determined to finish the course.” Hilary has already raised nearly £3000 to help Kidscape in their unique work with victims of bullying.

To support her please visit her fundraising page www.justgiving.com/hilarywilkinson ENDS