Sunday 15th of October saw over 20,000 competitors descend on Southsea for the 33rd Great South Run. It was an unseasonably sunny day and the atmosphere in Southsea was electric with competitors and supporters lining the seafront and surrounding streets.
The community came out in force to support the runners, who attend from all over the world.
Among the competitors were some of the wonderful Stamshaw Infants team who came together on the gruelling 10 mile (16KM) run in honour of the amazing Warren Dowling. Their team, named 'Wozza's Angels' raised a phenomenal £770 for Asthma and Lung UK in memory of our wonderful Warren who very tragically passed away suddenly in March following an asthma attack.
Warren's passing has left a huge hole in the community and there is not a day that passes when he is not talked about or thought of by his friends, classmates, teachers and of course his amazing family.
Belinda, Warrens mum said
"It was an amazing day, the atmosphere was great. There were lots of hugs, they did Warren proud".
The Dowling family, staff from the Infant school and friends all came out to support Wozza's Angels. We at PATCH as so proud of them all and we know that everyone at both Stamshaw schools are as well, but no-one could be prouder than the Dowlings who were so happy to see their amazing son being remembered in such an wonderful show of support and knowing that he was helping to raise money for such a worthy cause.
At the end of the race Mrs Moore, who had been Warren's first teacher, presented the family with her finisher's medal for Warren. She said "I did it all for him so it just felt right that he should have my medal". Belinda said "At the end, Chantelle gave us her medal for Warren and we started crying. It was so lovely".
We at PATCH certainly feel incredibly proud to be a small part of such a wonderful community and we are very proud of Wozza's Angels. You ladies are incredible and we hope you are all very proud of what you have achieved.
Inspired by Wozza's Angels, the Dowling family have decided to take the batton and take part in next year's event. They will be entering both the main 10 mile run and for the younger Dowlings, the junior run raising money for Asthma and Lung UK in their son's honour. Some of the PATCH team have decided to join the Wozza's Angels team and brave the run as well. We have some of our PATCH kids running in the 2.5km junior run and some of our trustees and committee members running in the 10 mile main event, all raising money for Stamshaw Schools PATCH in memory of Warren. He was an original PATCH kid and although this is a huge task for many of us, we feel inspired by Wozza's Angels to take on the run for him. He loved being a PATCH kid and helping at our events and so we feel very proud to be able to do this for him.
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