LIFELONG friends of a teacher, husband and father who died tragically young from leukaemia have raised £2,000 for a Bradford charity by doing an Iron Man challenge.
Oliver Goodyear, of Baildon, was aged 37 when he died a year ago and Salts Grammar schoolmates John Pegington, Jennifer Willingham, Neil Sugden and Mr Pegington’s wife Mary, all from Baildon, took part in the Lakesman Triathlon in Keswick in aid of the Annette Fox Leukaemia Research Fund which is based at Bradford Royal Infirmary.
Mr Goodyear, who taught English at Tong High School, left a wife, Laura and three-year-old daughter Mary.
”At Salts Grammar a large group of us were really close and have all kept in contact.”
“Ols was part of the group and just a great friend, husband and dad,” said accountant Mr Pegington, who works at Manchester’s Christie Hospital.
“At school he was very intelligent and, passionate about books and music.
“He worked as a freelance music journalist in Bradford for a while, then went into teaching.
“Ols wasn’t sporty himself and would have thought doing an Iron Man competition was absolutely ridiculous!
“It’s not an especially big charity, but it does fund research and provides extra things for patients which the NHS can’t fund.
“The way we did the Lakesman was my wife Mary swam the 2.4 miles, Neil did the 112 bike ride and Jennifer ran the full marathon - and I did the whole thing.”
Note: Our own Saltaire Striders ladies captain Jennifer Willingham completed the marathon section for the relay team in a very respectable 3:35
The Annette Fox Leukaemia Research Fund was set up in memory of a 17-year-old Bradford girl who died of leukaemia in 1980 aged 17.
Its aims are to provide financial assistance to improve the comfort and care of patients with leukaemia and other serious blood disorders
“We are only a small charity and this will make a huge difference and enable us to continue with our work,” said its fundraiser Michelle Adam.
Stephen Curran, head teacher at Tong High School said: “Mr Goodyear taught English at Tong High School for many years.
“He was a dedicated teacher, friend and encourager. He enriched the lives of countless young people at Tong. He is sorely missed.”
To make a donation go to justgiving.com/lakesman
