03-05-2025
Bournemouth family raise more than £10k in memory of beloved son
A Bournemouth family has raised more than £10,000 in memory of a beloved son who died suddenly.
The Holzherr family has taken on the London Marathon for the third consecutive year to honour Richard Holzherr, who died in May 2020 from a brain aneurysm.
Their dedication has turned into a family tradition, raising funds for Headway, a charity providing support and information to those affected by brain injury.
Richard, a plumber from Bournemouth, was just 32 when he passed away.
Described by his family as someone who "brought laughter to everyone in his life," Richard's love for football and family was known to all.
READ MORE: Record £51,500 raised by London Marathon runners for charity
Richard's dad Tom ran the London Marathon in his memory in 2023 (Image: Supplied) Over the years, his family and friends have raised more than £10,165 for Headway by participating in the marathon.
This year, Richard's best friends, Nathan and Charlotte Alderton, took on the 26.2-mile challenge, raising more than £4,000.
Charlotte, a telecoms quality control manager, described the event as an "emotional rollercoaster."
She said: "I found the marathon the hardest yet most rewarding experience of my life.
"In a way, it felt like therapy.
"Reading everyone's t-shirts and watching everyone running for their own reasons was really emotional.
"Nathan and I started in different waves, due to our predicted times, but my favourite moment was that we were able to catch up with each other and hold hands running over Tower Bridge.
"It was a moment I'll never forget."
SEE MORE: 2025 London Marathon to set record for biggest annual one-day fundraising event
L-R: Nathan, Kelly, Charlotte and Richard (Image: Supplied) Charlotte admitted she struggled around the 16 to 18-mile mark, but hearing Michael Bolton's song 'I Can Go The Distance' helped her "dig deep and pushed me on."
She crossed the finish line in five hours and 40 minutes, while her husband Nathan, a self-employed plasterer, completed the race in four hours and 43 minutes.
Charlotte added: "I felt elated to get to the finish and meet up with Nathan at the letter 'R' - for Richard - meeting point."
The family continues to honour Richard's memory by supporting the work of Headway, helping those affected by brain injury.
