Word from the Team Fundraising Page which can be found at: https://www.justgiving.com/teams/ThomasCoupe

"Thanks for visiting our team fundraising page.

We've joined together to raise money for the RNLI and Martin House by running the Asda Leeds half Marathon on May 12th. Our target is to raise £1000, £500 for each charity. Your donation can really help us achieve this goal.

We are running the marathon in memory of Tom Coupe who died suddenly on September 29th last year. Here are some words from his family, Jo, Robin and Lucy to share Tom's story;

Tom collapsed and died suddenly and without warning on 29th September 2018. He was taken from us far too young, just 17, and we miss him every day. We loved him with all our hearts. He was a very special boy; kind, clever, caring, funny and always ready to help anyone who needed it. That is why he would be so proud that money is being raised in his name to help Martin House and the RNLI.

Tom was taken to Martin House after he died and after his organs had been donated ( at least 4 people had life saving or enhancing transplants following Tom’s donation,  he had told us he would want to donate in the event of his death). Martin House looked after him and offered us so much comfort and support in the difficult days immediately after his death. They continue to support us with their bereavement counselling. They do amazing work.

The RNLI would have been Tom’s chosen charity. He always loved being by the sea, from his early days of building sandcastles to a visit the month before he died to the Historic Dockyard at Portsmouth where he was in his element astounding us with his incredible knowledge of history. We didn’t need a guide book we had Tom to bring it to life and tell us all we wanted to know and more. Tom was fascinated by the work the RNLI do and watched “Saving Lives at Sea” the night before he died. He couldn’t believe the service was manned by volunteers and funded by donations.

We wish to thank Bronwen, a very special friend, and Rebecca (Miss Barnaby), Tom’s fabulous head of year at Roundhay School for organising the team and for their support over the last few months.

Tom would be amazed that so many people are running the Leeds half marathon in his memory and so are we. It is a fitting tribute to a wonderful boy. Good luck to “Team Tom”, we can’t thank you enough, you are fantastic, all of you!

Jo, Rob and Lucy.

Remember: Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never share them with anyone or send you unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. They'll make sure Gift Aid (an additional 25%) is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer, too. That means more money goes to the charity, faster, with JustGiving."