The mother of a 17-year-old girl who died following a long battle with depression and anorexia has paid tribute to her “wonderful” running club for dedicating a race in her memory.
Charlotte Cobbald died in August after collapsing at the family farm in Acton, near Sudbury. The former Ipswich High School for Girls student had received top GCSE grades and was a talented sheep farmer.
Members of her running club, the Stowmarket Striders, have now decided to dedicate their next race, the Scenic 7, in her memory.
Charlotte’s mother, Hilde, 56, said: “She loved running and was very sporty; second would never do, she always wanted the best.
“She loved it and quickly progressed from Tuesday nights to the more serious Thursdays and we have photos of her doing the race last year; you can see her elation.
“I felt very privileged when Stuart Green (the club’s chairman) said he would ask the committee if we could start the race because I know Charlotte would be smiling and laughing and saying go on mum.”
A donation from the race’s profits will go to the St Aubyn’s Centre, in Colchester, where Charlotte had previously spent six months receiving specialised medical therapy and support. It is one of the only centres of its kind in the south England.
Mr Green, said: “In the circumstances that the family lost Charlotte, which were very tragic and sad, we felt it was an appropriate thing to do.
“She ran regularly on Tuesdays and Thursdays with the club and did her first race with us last year which was the Scenic 7.
“She joined the club last year and during that time she was showing good signs of improvement and was also showing a good enthusiasm for her running; she had a lot of future potential.”
Mrs Cobbald and Charlotte’s father, Stephen Cobbald, are raising money for St Aubyn’s, through a fund set up in Charlotte’s name. At the moment they are focusing on purchasing enough computers for patients to use in the two wards.
The seven-mile race, sponsored by Barnard’s of Stowmarket, will start at 9.30am on Remembrance Sunday, November 9, from Mid Suffolk Leisure Centre.
Proceeds from the sale of tea, coffee and cakes at the race will still go to the Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal.
For more information on the race, visit the club’s website: www.stowmarketstriders.org.uk/scenic7
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