Runner's tribute to brave little Jamie (From Barry And District News)

Runner's tribute to brave little Jamie

A BARRY runner paid tribute to brave little Jamie Adamson when he handed over the £1,600 he raised running this year's London Marathon.

Lloyd's Bank employee David Evans wore a T-shirt with the youngster's photograph on it while he covered the 26-mile race to raise money for the charity Children with Leukaemia.

Jamie died in January aged just five, after losing his battle with the illness. A financial adviser in Holton Road branch where Paul banks, David said: "Paul often came in and talked about his son's bravery.

"After listening to Jamie's plight, my heart told me I needed to do something to help children with leukaemia.

"I ran the marathon wearing a T-shirt with a photo of Jamie Adamson on it as a mark of respect for the courage of the young boy.

"When I finished, I looked up to the sky and said: 'This is for you, Jamie.'." David raised £1,600 and his branch manager, Sian Berriman, who herself has given bone marrow to a child, helped collect money from different branches.

Jamie's parents, Nicola and Paul, and his brother Sam, 11, were devastated by their loss. Sam even had his bone marrow tested to try to help his younger brother.

He also raised £150, which he gave to Latch, a Llandough Hospital child-cancer charity, by organising a newsletter at Palmerston School. Paul said: "We're grateful to David.

"Jamie was brave right to the end. Even when he was having chemotherapy he'd go out and play with his friends. He didn't let anything get him down and was a very happy child. He was only three when he was diagnosed with leukaemia, but didn't let that get in the way."

Friends and family rallied around Jamie when he was diagnosed. Paul added: "Sam was always supportive and took Jamie out to play football with his friends.

"Jamie was a keen Chelsea supporter and they gave him a signed shirt. He was buried in his Chelsea kit."