MORE than 100 fundraisers braved frosty conditions at a gruelling outdoor charity bootcamp in memory of a much-loved mum-of-two who died from a brain tumour.
Organised by Kirstie Enefer, the Giant Charity Bootcamp was held at Friar’s Grove Primary School, Colchester, in honour of Gemma Edgar.
So far, the 102 participants have raised more than £2,000 for Brain Tumour Research.
The pair initially became good friends when Mrs Enefer’s younger son Jamie, seven, started in the same reception class as Mrs Edgar’s oldest son Dylan, six.
Planning for the bootcamp began two-and-a-half months ago, while Mrs Edgar was receiving treatment at St Helena’s Hospice. She died from an inoperable brain tumour before the event could be held.
Mrs Enefer, a marketing assistant at the Essex Business School, said: “I’m proud of everybody who helped to make the event so successful and to all who came along. I’m sure Gemma would be too.
“I had such an incredible response when I put out the idea of a boot camp inspired by Gemma.
“Huge thanks to all of the instructors who donated their time and energy - Chris Allan, Liam Clayton, Kelly Goody and Elliot Chapman.
“They were fabulous and leapt at the chance to get involved in return for cake and bananas.
“Thanks to my fabulous friend Karen Cameron who works at Friar’s Grove for all her amazing help in organising the boot camp. I couldn’t have done it without Karen and the instructors.”
The community helped with the event and £400 was raised in donations for tea and cake.
Tesco Highwoods donated a box of bananas to keep the participants’ energy levels up throughout the event.
Mrs Edgar, 33, a former paediatric nurse at Colchester Hospital, was diagnosed with her brain tumour just eight weeks after the birth of her second son, Noah.
She battled the condition for more than four years, even running the London Marathon whilst ill, but died with her family by her side last month.
Barb Relf, Mrs Edgar’s mother, said: “The sense of loss felt by the whole family is beyond words.
“We take some comfort that our beautiful daughter was blessed in having so many wonderful friends and supporters who will keep her memory alive.”
Donations can still be made at justgiving.com/fundraising/kirstie-enefer7.
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