Dave Cookson Memorial Fun Run – 25.08.24 –

Run Report by Adrian Smith

 

The original fun run started 40 years ago in 1984, from Government Acre to Thanet Wanderers Rugby Club and had been going strong until a few years ago pre covid, when it lost momentum.

 

One of the original runners was Dave Cookson, a Thanet Wanderers Rugby player and local teacher at Chatham House, who also played a large part in the organisation and certainly encouraged the fancy dress aspect of it, with a few wacky costumes ranging from circus strong man through to wild west cowboy.

 

Sadly, Dave passed away last year and had suffered Dementia during his later years.

 

Amy Brand Cookson, one of Dave’s daughters, wanted to do something to remember her dad and raise funds and awareness of Dementia UK and decided to resurrect the Fun Run and along with her team of helpers arranged the run in memory of her dad.

 

The run had reversed direction over the years and started at Thanet Wanderers Rugby Club and ended at Government Acre with walkers and runners alike retiring to the Hotel Deville for post run analysis and rehydration!

 

The route went down to Joss Bay and then followed the coastline all the way to the finish. There were about 80 walkers and runners who enjoyed the day and as it was a fun run, there were no times, or mileage markers and some people even ran without a Garmin!

 

 

 

 

We would to like to thank Thanet Wanderers for hosting the start and also for the number of players, past and present who took part.

 

Thanet Roadrunners AC kindly lent us the Hi Vis jackets, signs, race numbers and also a number of runners joined in the fun, so thanks also to them for their help.

 

As with all events, they don’t happen without volunteers and organisers prepared to put in the hours behind the scenes, so a massive thanks to all of them, especially Amy, Kim, Simon and Paddy. Thanks also to Thorley Taverns and Simon at The Hotel Deville. The event, the raffle, tombola and donations raised £4038.00 at the last count, so a massive thank you to all who contributed.

 

We all had so much fun that we are doing it again next year, so put 24.08.2025 in your diary for the run when we will be raising funds for British Heart Foundation in memory of Brad Teall , a Thanet Wanderer we lost too soon and John Duffy, Kim’s husband, both of whom suffered heart problems.

 

Thanks for your support!

 

Thanks very much Adrian for this report and well done to everyone involved and the monies raised for charity.