A family united: Left to right, Lauryn, Chloe, Kayleigh and Dee Meese. Photograph taken by Martin Humby. 14352301
DEE Meese's birthday a year ago was meant to be a day of celebration. But for her family, it soon turned into a tragedy when her husband Paul was involved in a road accident and died.
Mr Meese worked as a personal trainer alongside his wife at Fitness First on Stourport Road in Kidder-minster and was riding his motorcycle when the accident happened on Monday, January 29, 2007.
Mrs Meese and their three daughters Kayleigh, aged 15, Chloe, 10 and Lauryn, eight, have had to come to terms with life without him, which they all found a struggle.
"We miss him so much and it was just terrible when it happened," said Mrs Meese, who was married to Paul for 15 years.
So last year, staff at the gym held the 6km (3.7 mile) run in his memory. They called it the Turkey Run and the aim was to raise money for the charity Road Peace, which helps families of people involved in road crashes.
It was given this title because Turkey was the nickname Mr Meese used for many people.
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This year, Mrs Meese decided they should hold it again after its success, and this time raise money for the children's bereavement charity which is still supporting her daughters. "Without the trust I don't think they would have been able to get through the last year," she said. "We had heard about Noah's Ark before as coincidentally, one of the bereavement co-ordinators from Noah's Ark uses our gym."
At first, her daughters decided they did not want to see anyone - but since their mother persuaded them to have one meeting, they haven't looked back.
"They have made so much progress, they love seeing their co-ordinator. They didn't open up for the first few months but in July last year they decided to go and they came out with so much from it. They are still using the service now," she added.
The run will be held from noon tomorrow and is open to anyone wanting a challenge or a pleasant walk around the circular course, which starts at the gym and then follows the canal.
It costs £5 to take part and everyone is welcome. Ref-reshments will be served afterwards. Entrants can either pay on the day or pick up application forms at the gym. "It is open to people of all fitness levels and last year some people also brought their dogs to have a nice walk," she added. For more details on the run contact the gym on 01562 732490.
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