On a warm day in Somerset when I was 9, I was introduced to a boy called Jack, who was the brother of one of my greatest mates Sam. Of course, I had seen him a few times before due to the fact that we had shared a school for a year, however I had no idea of how much I would be seeing him throughout my adolescence.

At that age, I was always frightened of meeting older boys as I was often the only child at home which meant that I didn’t know how to act around them. However, in the cottage all worry subsided as he smiled, winked and said ‘which team do you support’. There was born a line of banter that would continue throughout our friendship as I replied ‘Liverpool’! From then on, I was sure we would have a laugh together. From visiting the sole pub in Tresco to watching clashes between our football clubs and too many memories to list here, it was a blast.

Jack was a wonderfully kind human. His amazing sense of humour and love of football were perhaps why I saw him as
a role model. He was a great person to look up to and someone who you could always rely on.

So, in memory of Jack who died of cancer in January of 2018, I will be running the Royal Parks half-marathon on the 14th October in support of the Jack Winter Leg Up fund.

The Jack Winter Leg Up Fund has been set up in association with Key4Life - a charity which supports young
men in prison, or at risk of going to prison, using a 7 step rehabilitation programme. The charity[i]has developed a burger van business based in Somerset called the Food Cell. The Food Cell is run and managed by young men participating in the Key4Life programme providing them with an invaluable training ground.

Jack was a young entrepreneur who loved burgers and festivals. The Jack Winter ‘Leg-Up’ Fund will be used to create a
replica burger van. The business will be based in London and the van will be taken to parties, events, festivals and shows in London and the South East- The Jack Burger Van.

In running I hope to raise as much money as I can for the fund which will:

1. Purchase, convert, brand and fit out an Iveco prison van.

2. Train staff in food handling up to accredited Level 2 Food Safety and Hygiene. 

3. Provide for additional staff with branded t-shirts and aprons

4. Pay for additional staff when required.

5. Pay for pitches at festival sites.

6. Support the van until it becomes self-financing.

The fund is a legacy which aims to capture Jack’s spirit and in doing so make a profound difference to young men who are at a crossroads, giving them a second chance or a ‘Leg Up’ and
inspiring them to live better and more fulfilling lives.

Thanks for reading, donations however small would be hugely appreciated.

Cheers,

 Archie xx #JackWinter19