Student runs in memory of grandfather

Mar 1 2008 by Richard Down, Liverpool Daily Post

UNIVERSITY of Liverpool student Edward Holden is one of thousands of athletes who will tackle Liverpool’s half- marathon tomorrow, - raising tens of thousands of pounds for charity.

Mr Holden is running in memory of his grandfather Frank Bolton, who succumbed to cancer in 1995, and two other much-loved grandparents who also died of cancer. His run this weekend is in aid of McMillan nurses.

The 22-year-old International Development student said: “When he walked into a room, everyone felt his presence. Losing him had probably the most significant impact on my life.

“My mum very sweetly says his soul lives on in me. We’re both great travellers; last Christmas I spent time in Tanzania having spent a gap year there working as an English teacher.

“He was living in Shanghai in 1938 when the Japanese invaded and had to emigrate to Box Hill in Melbourne.

“I was very close to him in particular and the deaths of my other grandparents had a huge effect on my parents.”

He recently saw a close friend’s father emerge from cancer treatment to enjoy a total return to health.

“My grandparents died at a time when some of today’s knowledge and techniques were not available.”

Race director Alan Rothwell said: “We’re expecting 5,000 people and it’s clear Liverpool is really in the limelight this year.”