Futures For Kids (FFK) founder trustee Patrick Thornton-Smith will complete a series of races over the next year to raise money in memory of Bernie Connolly.

Bernie Connolly, a fellow trustee of FFK and long-serving team member of the Futures Industry Association (FIA), recently passed away after a long battle with cancer.

In her honour, Thornton-Smith, founder trustee of FFK for over ten years and commercial director of Cult Wines since July last year, plans to run a series of races starting with a 5k in December - assuming his replacement hip can “keep up with training”.

The 5k will be followed by competitive 10ks in the new year, including the second FFK fun run, and a half marathon next June.  

“She was so full of enthusiasm and courage, especially courage, and loved running even though this was not possible for the last few years. She loved the FFK fun run that was inaugurated earlier this year and was instrumental in making it happen,” Thornton-Smith said.

He added: “So, as she was so full of so much bravery, the least I can do is try to put one foot after another and raise some money for FFK in her name.”

To help him through training, Thornton-Smith has devised his own wine-based plan called ‘Haut-Brion to Half Marathon' which “advocates wine as a key element”. 

Thornton-Smith, who also headed market development for exchange-traded derivatives at NEX Triana for over three years, and spent three years as managing director for post trade processing at FFastFill, may also look to complete a full marathon the following year.

“For some sadomasochistic reason I am drawn to run my second full marathon in 2020, 20 years after vowing never to do another so we shall see how that looks after doing the half,” he said.

To make a donation to FFK, visit:  https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/pts2018xmasrun