27/3/2008

Local News

In loving memory...

HONOUR: Simon Hinks, Lucy Cooke (centre) and Laura Bottomly

A LOVING partner and friend who was the 100th British soldier to die in Iraq has been the inspiration for one family’s fundraising adventure.
2nd Lieutenant Jonathan Carlos Bracho-Cooke (pictured right), also known as Jonny, died in Basra on February 5, 2007. The Sandhurst-trained soldier completed his military education at the same time as Prince William.
He left behind his fiancée, Laura Bottomly, who lives in Hove, East Sussex.
The couple had planned to get married at Sandhurst Military Chapel in August last year.
Jonny’s sister Lucy Cooke, and her partner Simon Hinks, of Farnborough, who were both close to Jonny, are joining with Laura to raise money in his memory.
They hope to raise £15,000 for BLESMA (British Limbless Ex-Servicemen’s Association) through a series of 10k runs.
BLESMA helps servicemen and women who have lost one or more limbs or their eyesight during conflict or war.
Simon, a consultant, said: “When Jonny died it was a very tragic event.
“We sat down one day to have a chat about what we could do in his memory.
“We thought, why don’t we do some charity runs?”
Simon said Jonny was always keen to support injured servicemen, which is why the trio are supporting BLESMA.
He said: “There’s a lot of soldiers getting seriously hurt and there is no coverage of it, no support for them. They’re left to cope on their own.
“We want to raise as much awareness as possible, and raise as much money as possible.”
The trio plan to run four 10k runs – one in Staines, one in Bristol and one near Greenhithe, Kent, finishing with the British 10k in London in July.
For more information about their runs, or to donate to their cause, visit www.joggingforjonny.co.uk
Click on the ‘Donate’ link to give.

First printed in: Surrey Hants Star