Sporty brothers raise cash to honour dad Cyril

Athletic Leabrooks brothers have donated charity cash after running three marathons in six months as a tribute to their dad Cyril.
Mark and Dean Smith with their family supporters hand over the proceeds of their fiund raising efforts to Ripley Hospital and Macmillan Cancer SupportMark and Dean Smith with their family supporters hand over the proceeds of their fiund raising efforts to Ripley Hospital and Macmillan Cancer Support
Mark and Dean Smith with their family supporters hand over the proceeds of their fiund raising efforts to Ripley Hospital and Macmillan Cancer Support

Dean and Mark Smith raised £3,000 for two cancer charities – Macmmillan Cancer Support and Ripley Hospital’s Butterley Ward – after Cyril died from kidney cancer in 2014.

The sporty duo smashed their target of £2,000 and have thanked everyone for their support.

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Dean, 42, said: “Both Mark, myself and our family would like to thank everyone that has showed their support and donated time and money to help us achieve our goal. We cannot thank you enough and we were proud to present those to the charities that had helped support our dad.”

The brothers split the money in half and donated £1,500 to each of the charities at a presentation on February 4, at Ripley Hospital.

Dean said the family had received an enormous amount of support in Cyril’s final days.

He added: “During his battle with cancer Dad, and the rest of the family received exceptional support from Macmillan and from the Butterley Ward who cared for Dad and gave support to us all in the last days before he passed away.”

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To raise the cash Dean and Mark, 44, will ran three marathons- Edinburgh on May 31, Tenby in Wales on July 5 and York on October 11.

Dean said each place or date had fond memories for them as a family.

He said: “Edinburgh is where Dad ran his last marathon with us.

“The marathon in Tenby is being held on his birthday, and York is some where he loved to visit.

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“Dad was well known in the local area particularly to anyone involved in the local football having played in the Derby City, Alfreton Sunday, Central Midlands leagues to name a few in a career that lasted well in to his 50s.

“He was an active man himself and liked to get stuck into physical activities. We believe he would definitely approve of our marathon bids, and had he been here, he would’ve been cheering us on.”

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