A PRIMARY school teacher is set to run the London Marathon in memory of his daughter, who passed away unexpectedly aged 15 months.

Harry Foster, a Year 6 teacher at St John’s C of E Primary School, Wellington, and his wife Rebecca have spent the last few years fundraising and organising events for both Great Ormond Street and 2Wish after their daughter Olivia died in October 2023.

Harry has decided to undertake his biggest challenge yet, the London Marathon, raising money for Great Ormond Street Hospital.

Olivia passed away suddenly and unexpectedly in 2023. At the time, Harry and Rebecca were told they may never find out how she died.

On his fundraising page, Harry said: “We walked into Yeovil Hospital as a family of three and left as two heartbroken parents without their child; we were in unimaginable pain.

“My wife, Rebecca, and I will be forever grateful for the time we had with Olivia as she was such a bundle of fun; we are thankful that she only ever knew fun, love and happiness in her short life.”

As Rebecca and Harry held Olivia in their arms for the final time, they decided to live their lives by the phrase ‘be more like Olivia’.

Harry described the phrase as meaning “trying to find positives in life, making the most of the time you are given and supporting everyone. It also involves smiling regularly as Olivia always did, lighting up the room.”

When Harry and Rebecca heard Olivia’s postmortem would be conducted at Great Ormond Street Hospital they took comfort in knowing she was going to the ‘best hospital in the world’.

“As a family, we are eternally grateful to the staff at Great Ormond Street Hospital who gave us the answers we so desperately needed. It was found that Olivia died of Acute Viral Myocarditis, a rare and hard-to-diagnose illness. We can never put into words how much Great Ormond Street Hospital means to us.”

According to the British Heart Foundation, Acute Viral Myocarditis is inflammation of the heart muscle, usually following a virus.

Harry will be running the London Marathon on April 26 for Great Ormond Street Hospital and to keep Olivia’s ‘memory alive’.

“As a family, we promised to make Olivia proud and this is a massive opportunity to do just that by taking on the 26-mile challenge.

“Be more like Olivia is the phrase we use to get through every tough day, and I’m sure to be thinking this a lot along the way.”

Olly Priestley, headteacher of St John’s C of E Primary School, added: “Harry is a wonderful role model for the school vision and values, and we are all incredibly proud of his achievements. St John’s will all be behind him on the big day, with the children all excited to see him run in this wonderful event. I am feeling confident Harry will be running a considerably faster time than my effort last year.”

So far Harry has raised more than £8,300.

To donate, visit: www.justgiving.com/page/londonmarathon-bmlo