ORGANISERS of Melksham’s parkrun have described the efforts of runner, Luke Dark, as ‘exceptional’, after he completed Saturday’s 5k run despite being told following an accident that he would never walk again.
In 2014, Luke was involved in a head-on collision with a truck. As a result of the crash, Luke sustained a traumatic brain injury, leaving him in a coma for six months.
Luke decided to take on Saturday’s Melksham parkrun to fundraise money for Wiltshire Air Ambulance, who saved his life four years ago. After training hard, Luke’s first ever 5km run was completed in a ‘very respectable’ time of 00.35.22, running alongside 118 other runners, supported by friends Carrie Jenkins and Nina Hillman.
Melksham parkrun said, “There are many memorable aspects of Melksham’s parkruns but Luke Dark running on Saturday to raise money for Wiltshire Air Ambulance was exceptional.
“The fact that he completed the first parkrun he’s ever done in a very respectable time was impressive, but to do this having been told, after a life-threatening accident four years ago, that he may never walk again was amazing.
“Luke joined 118 runners to show his gratitude to the people who save his life and we were pleased to welcome volunteers and supporters from WAA. We would like to specially thank Sally and Rosie for saying a few words and for starting this week’s run for us.”
To sponsor Luke and his team, visit www.justgiving .com/fundraising/teamdark
No parkrun this weekend
There will be no parkrun this weekend as it is the Melksham Food and River festival, that will be in King George V park. The team are running a drop-in parkrun information hub in the fenced triangle in front of the Adventure Centre during the event.
Anyone already involved or interested in getting involved with parkrun is invited to come and chat to them anytime during the Festival. They will be running a slideshow of photos from their 35 events on a large screen, courtesy Melksham-based InfiLED based on Bowerhill.
