On Saturday 6th October 2012, Ryan and Melanie will be taking part in the 22nd Commando Challenge, a gruelling 10k race over the Woodbury Common Commando course, near East Budleigh in Devon.

Ryan and Melanie will be taking part in memory of Lily-Mae Jeffries and to raise money for The Devon Air Ambulance Trust.

Explaining their reasons for taking part, Ryan said "During the second week of March, this year, I received a phone call from a friend explaining the tragic circumstances regarding Lily-Mae's passing and asking if I would meet with her parents and help them with the funeral arrangements. That in itself was not unusual, however over the following three weeks it was my privilege to be welcomed into Lily-Mae's family, to guide, assist and advise her parents John and Charlene, and her siblings Kaycee-Ann, Anthony and Annabella, and to help them arrange a truly unique ceremony, quite unlike anything I had been a part of before, which accurately reflected the life of a bright, bubbly, beautiful little girl who brought nothing but sunshine and laughter to everyone she met."

Melanie added "When Ryan told me that John and Charlene had invited us to join them at the challenge and to be a part of their fundraising team, Lily's Sparkle Helpers, I was deeply moved, and we both agreed without any hesitation. We were proud to be asked to care for Lily-Mae during the funeral arrangements, and we are equally as proud to be taking part in the challenge in her memory."

A JustGiving page has been set up to receive donations for The Devon Air Ambulance Trust, in memory of Lily-Mae, which can be found here.

Issued on behalf of Walter H. Squires & Son

Back to main news index