Banbury schoolboy releases father's ashes with his mother at finish line of 5k running challenge

Charlie Holland, aged 11, launched two Just Giving web pages with the help of his mother, Liz, as part of a fundraising challenge.

Liz and Charlie Holland completed the 5k challenge last weekend in memory of Jason Holland, Liz's husband and Charlie's father.

Liz said: "It was incredibly moving and something we never thought we could or would achieve.

"An emotional day for us both. We released some of Jason's ashes at the finish line.

"We each had some of Jason's ashes and hand in hand released him in the place he loved so much, and where we made so many wonderful memories."

Liz and Charlie completed the 5k run on Saturday September 19 around the grounds of Blenheim Palace, a favourite place to go for the family.

She added: "We finished by the Pleasure Garden car park. The run was around the grounds, a walk Jason and I did most evenings with the Beagles and we always admired the people running and both said how much we would love to run the route one day hence this is where I chose."

Family friend, Dan Buda, who runs Triumph Fitness in Bloxham, helped train Liz and Charlie and ran with them too.

Liz added: "He has been phenomenal. Without him we would never have done it. He has supported (us) through tears, laughter, pain."

Charlie and his mother not only completed the 5k challenge, but they helped raise £2,250 for the Thames Valley Air Ambulance service, who responded to the call for help to emergency services for Jason.

Charlie said: "My daddy, Jason, passed away on 19th March this year. He was the best dad in the world, and mummy and I miss him so very much. He was my hero.

"The evening my mummy called the ambulance for daddy some amazing people helped him.

"They were from Thames Valley Air Ambulance. They rely on charitable donations and I know it is very expensive to run the service because my mummy works for the NHS too.

"Because the doctors and paramedics worked so hard to help daddy, he was able to open his eyes and hear mummy and me tell him how much we loved him, and he was able to pout his lips to kiss my mummy before he died."

Liz also launched a Just Giving fundraising campaign to provide a 'healing garden' for Charlie.

She is now looking for suggestions for her next challenge to continue fundraising for the 'healing garden'. Anyone who would like to donate to the 'healing garden' campaign can use the following web address: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/healing-garden4-charlieLiz said: "On March 19th my husband of 20 years, my soulmate Jason, died suddenly of multi organ failure(unrelated to COVID-19). He was only 44.

"He leaves behind our beautiful son. They share a love of nature and wildlife and Charlie has magical memories of rolling down grassy hills, building dens, skimming stones, rock pooling, star gazing and hunting for fossils with his Dad.

"We recently moved house and Jason’s next project was to transform our back garden. With Charlie in mind he had planned a pond, worm farm, vegetable patch and of course a den.

"A couple of days after Jason died Charlie asked if we could still create the garden in memory of Jason and plant a tree and bench where he could sit and talk to his Dad and remember the happy times we had.

"I am not going to be able to fund or create the garden without Jason, so I am asking for donations in memory of Jason so I can create a healing garden space for Charlie.

"I cannot take away his pain, but I can try to raise funds for a healing memorial garden for Charlie."