Jogging memories for Hove war hero

2:53pm Monday 12th May 2008

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The fiancée of the 100th soldier to die in Iraq is raising thousands of pounds for charity in his memory.

Laura Bottomley, 25, of Church Road, Hove, set up "Jogging for Jonny" this year, hoping to raise a minimum of £15,000 for the British Limbless Ex-Service Men's Association, through running.

Second Lieutenant Jonathan Bracho-Cooke, of 2nd battalion the Duke of Lancaster Regiment, died on February 5, 2007, when a roadside bomb hit the Warrior armoured vehicle patrol he was commanding, in the As Sarraji district of Basra.

Jonny, originally from Hove, was 24 when he died, having forged a military career from a young age by joining the Territorial Army at 17 while he was in the sixth form at Cardinal Newman Catholic School in Hove.

He and Laura were together for 18 months before setting a wedding date, which would have been on August 9 last year, six months after his death. Laura said: "As the anniversary of Jonny's death approached, it was quite a difficult time and I was so anxious about how I would feel.

"But as soon as that day passed, I thought, let's kick things into action."

To celebrate his memory she organised a challenge to run four 10k races, ending with the ASICS British 10k London run on July 6.

Her sister's fiancé, Simon Hinks, and Mr Bracho-Cooke's sister, Lucy, are among family and friends taking part.

The first of the four races was in Bristol last month when Laura crossed the finishing line in one hour and two minutes.

The next race is in Staines on May 18, followed by the third at Bluewater shopping centre, Kent, on June 15, and the final one in London.

Laura, who is studying medicine at Brighton and Sussex Medical School, also plans to run two more races.

She is also taking part in a triathlon and intends to climb Mt Kilimanjaro in Tanzania before tackling the London Marathon next April.

Proceeds will go to BLESMA, a charity helping soldiers who have lost limbs or eyes in any branch of the armed forces.

Laura added: "It is for the charity and the memory of Jonny. I am so proud of what he did. It's for everyone to recognise him and not let him just be an inscription on a memorial.

"Jonny would be pleased. He was naturally the sort of person to help anyone out.

"Wounded soldiers are not really recognised.

"There are many more injuries than deaths. Any disability is difficult, but for it to define the rest of their lives must be really tough.

"BLESMA tries to neutralise that so they can re-establish a new norm."

To sponsor Laura and the team, visit www.joggingforjonny.co.uk.