MEET three runners who’ve had their shoes on doing the miles for a local charity. Now it’s your turn.

Eddy Byrnes, Nick Finelli and Grahame Whitehead have all being running to raise money for the Andrew Spencer Memorial Trust.

Now runners are being recruited to get involved in Andrew’s Day, a family day aimed at raising the profile of the trust as well as funds to help its work.

The trust was set up by family and friends of Andrew, a much loved member of musical theatre circles in Huddersfield who died at the tragically young age of 33.

After a successful stint as a professional dancer, Andrew had returned home to live in Waterloo with his parents, Ray and Lesley.

Back in Huddersfield he quickly found himself once more at the centre of young musical theatre performers who shared his sense of fun and his enthusiasm for the stage.

Andrew appeared with a number of companies including Huddersfield Light Opera and Lindley Amateur Operatic Society.

His death devastated family and friends who have set up a fund which they hope will celebrate his life by helping others.

It concentrates on supporting groups within the community that are involved in the arts and sports activities to which Andrew was devoted.

Andrew’s Day is to be held on Sunday August 1 at Leeds Road playing fields. It’s a mix of family fun that he would have loved.

There will be a toddlers’ fancy dress fun run, a five kilometres event for all age groups that people can run, jog or walk. There will be stalls, face painting, bouncy castle, refreshments and games.

The idea is for those entering the 5K event to get sponsors and so raise money to celebrate Andrew’s life and talent by helping others.

Eddy Byrnes ran the London Marathon to support the trust.

“I’d done the London Marathon two years ago in aid of Cancer Research and was ready to do it again,” said Eddy.

“But this time I wanted to run for the Andrew Spencer Memorial Trust as my daughters had known Andrew from performing with him in pantomimes and also from working with his dad Ray, both colourful characters.

“During the marathon, I attempted to do some serious celebrity.

“Last time I met Floella Benjamin, the children’s TV presenter from the 70s I had heard that Natalie Imbruglia was running so I kept a keen eye out for her but she eluded me.

“I did manage to speak to Sir Richard Branson (who was running with butterfly wings on!); after which, I set off again in search of my next celeb!

“A few miles down the road I hit the jackpot – Princess Beatrice – running with a large group of people all chained together.

“Not wanting to pass up the opportunity I ran up alongside her and asked her how she was doing, we had a chat, shook hands, wished each other luck and I was on my merry way again finally finishing in a time of 4 hours 20 minutes and 55 seconds.

“I want to thank all of you who sponsored me helping to raise £350 (so far) which certainly gives you that extra determination to run those gruelling 26.2 miles and believe me they were, especially the last five.

“Now I am just waiting for next year and maybe another chance at running in this fantastic event, who knows I might win it next time! Although I just don’t fancy the lap of honour!

Nick and Grahame ran the Leeds half-marathon for the trust.

“I wanted to do it on behalf of the trust and after a chat with Graham (Wizz) Whitehead at the Andrew Spencer annual ball he signed up too,” said Nick.

“We met in Millennium Square in Leeds along with 3500 others to set off on our 13.1mile journey.

“Wizz completed the course in 2hrs 14min 16secs and this was his first ever major distance race. This was a great achievement due to the fact that he’d injured his ankle the week prior to the run.

“I set out to achieve it in 1hr 50min but managed to finish in 1hr 38min 45sec coming in position 383 out of 3500.

“We would love to do it again next year and would like to encourage more people to do it with us!

“We’d also like to thank everyone who sponsored us (together we raised £390!) and for all the good luck wishes. A big thank you to Andrew’s parents Ray and Lesley for all their support too.”

Now the trio want to encourage as many people as possible to sign up for the 5K on Andrew’s Day. Fifty people already have.

Application forms for the toddler’s race and the 5K event can be downloaded from the trust website: www.andrewspencermemorialtrust.co.uk

The day’s events start at about 11am with the toddlers’ fancy dress run at noon followed by judging.

The big run gets underway at 1,30pm but the family fun continues until 4.30pm.

If you want more details on Andrew’s Day or on the work of the trust then go to the website.