The tragic death of seven-year-old Patryk Milner on October 2, 2020, was deeply felt across the Sandbach community, including at his beloved rugby club. Following the creation of the Patryk Milner Memorial Fund, a group of friends from the club, all very fond of Patryk and his family, came together to raise money. In 2021, they ran 4km every four hours for 48 hours, raising an astonishing £42,000. The funds helped build a running path named after Patryk around Sandbach Rugby Club and provided 640 free sports holiday camp places for children in the community.
This summer, five years after the first challenge, the group is back for another endurance run. This time, they are pushing themselves even further—2,437 metres further, to be precise—running four miles every four hours for 48 hours from Friday, June 12, to Sunday, June 14. They aim to raise an incredible £25,000 and are already past the halfway mark. All money raised will support the Patryk Milner Memorial Fund.
The group has already received support from a host of sponsors, including Nike, which has supplied shoes, shorts, and tops. They have also been provided with branded vests featuring sponsor logos by O'Neills, caps by Foremost, and branded t-shirts from North Hire & Sales. The team was busy fundraising at the Sandbach v Widnes play-off match, with raffle money and gate receipts going towards this superb cause.
In a heartfelt letter, Patryk's parents Andy and Aggie, and his sister Krissy, said: "In 2020, our lives changed forever when we suddenly lost our beautiful seven-year-old son after he collapsed without warning, with no explanation and no reason. A pain like that is impossible to describe, and something no parent should ever have to endure. The memorial fund that was set up in our son's honour meant more than we could ever say. It gave us comfort in knowing that his memory would live on, surrounded by the love of such an incredible community. We will never forget what the players from that season did for us. Their fundraising efforts at the time were nothing short of extraordinary, and the compassion they showed us will stay with us forever. Now, to see these same lads once again stepping forward and taking on the huge challenge of running four miles every four hours for 48 hours is deeply moving. It is hard to put into words just how much this means to us. Their loyalty, kindness, and continued support remind us that we are never alone in our grief. Their commitment does not take away the pain of losing our son, but it does help ease it. It brings comfort, strength, and a sense of love that means more than we can ever express."
The Run4Patryk event will bring the whole community together while ensuring that Patryk's legacy lives on. Anyone wishing to support this incredible challenge can donate via JustGiving at https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/run4patryk2026. For sponsorship and advertising opportunities, contact Nick Allsop at nick_allsop@hotmail.com or on 07527 551847.
The team members are: Kieran Allsop, Nick Allsop, Andy Bird, Mark Bird, George Bordill, Ali Burton, Will Cargill, Tom Holmes, Jack Leech, Josh Longson, Ronnie Milner, Sam Morris, Jack Mullaney, Jack Mullins, Rich Murray, Andy Nash, Lee Pickles, Jimmy Reilly, Jack Seddon, Pat Sherratt, Will Stockdale, Dan Stubbs, Kieran Stubbs, Conor Sutherland, Ross Sutherland and Sam Winstanley. The full list of sponsors so far includes: Civils & Construction Ltd, Close Brothers, Sandbach Commercial Dismantlers, Rooney Roofing, Stephenson Brown, North Hire & Sales, R & E Joinery Contractors Ltd, STVL, JEC Tree Services, Abode Brickwork, CPE, COL Security, Panaromoa Kitchens, ADM, Stallions, Oak Moss Property Services Ltd, F O'Donnell & Sons (Painters and Decorators) Ltd, Bowker Sadler, Lewis King, MGA, Manor Architecture, Sandbach Roofing, Hopley Fencing, New Era Electrical Contractors, Rawlinson Construction, Sandbach Health & Fitness, Flomix, CW Plant Hire, Graphene Corporate Finance, Ionic, LRC and Business Mastermind Group.
