Express & Star

All smiles as Run for Joel raises £27,000

A charity fundraiser in aid of three Black Country terror victims raised more than £27,000.

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The Run for Joel event at Sandwell Valley Country Park was in memory of Tunisia terror attack victim Joel Richards.

More than 1,000 people donned their running shoes for the 5km and 3km runs last month.

Now Joel's mum Suzy has totted up all the proceeds - with a grand total of £27,489.25 raised.

This will go to the Smile for Joel charity set up by Suzy and her surviving son Owen.

Football referee Joel, 19, was murdered in Tunisia along with his grandfather Patrick Evans, 78, and 49-year-old uncle Adrian Evans in June last year.

Suzy said: "We've been overwhelmed by how much we raised, how many people came out to support the event and how the community came together.

"What happened last year ripped the community apart but that day brought us all together.

"It was absolutely fantastic and everybody did them proud."

She said plans are afoot to run the event again next year - and make it 'bigger and better'.

"We've been asked by a lot of people to do it again next year.

"I want to do it again and make it bigger and better, but to do that we're looking for a corporate sponsor to get involved."

Anyone wanting to support next year's event should email smileforjoel@aol.com.

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