Paul and Maureen Baker along with a team of 17 runners from Oxfordshire, will be running the Vitality Oxford Half Marathon on Sunday 9th October 2016 in memory of their daughter Liberty Baker who was tragically killed when a car mounted the pavement whilst she was walking to school with friends in June 2014.
This year Paul and Maureen Baker will return to run the half marathon to raise funds in Liberty’s memory, she would be celebrating her 17th Birthday in October this year. Team Liberty will consist of friends and family with a few first time half marathon runners all raising money for selected charities; Thames valley air ambulance, Seesaw Child Bereavement and CHAT (Children Hospices Art).
Paul Baker says, “Since Liberty was killed we’ve been on a journey of grief, losing your child is the hardest thing you will ever face. Family and friends suggested light jogging during our darkest days, which made us feel more focused almost immediately and helped through the fog of grief. Soon afterwards we entered a 5K, 10k’s and half marathons including the Vitality Oxford Half Marathon 2015 - the races helps us focus on something other than our grief.
“Last year we raised funds for Libfest which is held in Witney, a single day live music festival, 5K fun run and other activities for everyone to get involved in, with a road safety message promoted throughout. Liberty was just 14 when she was killed by a dangerous driver whilst walking to school in Witney. Up to now we have raised £25,000 for charities and will continue our fund raising at this year’s Vitality Oxford Half Marathon”
Brigid Greaney, family friend, says, “Team Liberty have been busy training throughout the summer in Witney and beyond. We chose the Vitality Oxford Half Marathon as it is such a beautiful city setting with fantastic history and scenery and coincides with what would have been Liberty’s 17th Birthday. The whole team is working hard to raise as much money as we can and we can’t wait to cross the finish line knowing we have helped the family in some way.”
