Thurrock News
Soldier on the march in Karis' memory
7:10am Wednesday 22nd February 2012
A FORMER soldier is set to march 60 miles in memory of a young girl who died from a brain bug.
Luke Seeley, 26, from Stanford-le-Hope, decided to raise funds for the Karis May Darling Foundation after reading about the Corringham youngster in the Gazette.
Karis, of Gardner Avenue, was 12 when she suddenly died from streptococcus A last April.
Her family donated her heart, liver, pancreas and kidneys to help save the lives of five others, saying it is what she would have wanted.
Luke was a soldier in the Coldstream Guards for nine years.
He plans to march from Shoebury to the Tower of London on June 8, carrying about 35kg, and hopes to complete the challenge by June 10.
Luke, who lives in Branksome Avenue, said: “I choose to help Karis Darling’s foundation as I saw her story in the paper and it touched my heart.
“I read about her saving five other peoples’ lives, which made me want to do something for her family.
“Being a dad of a little girl myself made me want to do it even more.”
Karis was a talented performer and the foundation in her memory aims to support and provide opportunities for under privileged in performing arts and sports, and offer professional coaching, as well as raising awareness of organ donation.
For more information about the foundation, visit www.karismay darlingfoundation.org.uk To sponsor Luke visit his fundraising page at www.bmy charity.com/marchforkaris