Author: Helen Johnston

Today we said our farewell to the very special and much loved Debbie Edwards. Stockton Striders AC were privileged to be referred to at her funeral as Debbie’s second family💚💙 On behalf of all at Stockton Striders AC , as agreed by the committee members, will be donating £50 to the Trinity Holistic Centre , the charity of Debbie’s choice in lieu of flowers at her funeral. Debbie, it was a honour to have you as a member, your infectious smile, enthusiasm, and love of cake 😜 will never be forgotten 💚💙💜💚💙💜 In memorial to Debbie from her family, we have a few packets of forget  me not seeds - these will be available at the club next Tuesday .

I have a few purple ribbon pins if anyone is wanting one still for their splash of purple at Debbie’s funeral … I’ll have them with me in the morning … suggesting a donation of 50p per ribbon to my Alice House Hospice Leeds marathon fundraising please thanks Helen

For those not able to attend Debbie’s funeral in person tomorrow, Gary has posted… I’ve had a number of people message me and ask if Debbie’s Memorial service will be live streamed. Streaming will be live Tomorrow @1055hrs. The link will not work any earlier. https://watch.obitus.com Username yari6485 Password 099735

A few people have asked me about Debbie Edwards funeral arrangements. It will take place on: Tuesday 9th May 2023, 11:00am At: Stockton Crematorium, Maplewood Chapel, Junction Road, Stockton On Tees, TS19 9NA Afterwards it in the Stockton Town /Striders club house. Parking at the crem will be very busy so if possible car sharing is advised. Attendees at the funeral are asked to wear a splash of purple please. There will also be a collection box for any donations to The Trinity Holistic Centre in lieu of flowers as per Debbie’s wishes. Gary, Debbie’s husband has said how it would be lovely to see as many Striders as possible at the funeral to give Debbie the send off she truly deserves. 💚💙💜

As Albert parkrun is cancelled tomorrow due to lack of volunteers Caroline will be running her 300th parkrun at Stewart’s parkrun tomorrow instead … don’t worry though we are assured they’ll still be cake 🧁🍰💚💙

For Striders wishing to attend Debbie’s funeral the family are requesting a splash of purple to be worn. If anyone would like a purple ribbon pin - I’m making these and selling them for 50p each with all proceeds going to my Leeds Marathon fundraising for Alice House Hospice where Debbie spent the last few precious hours of her life. Please comment below or message me if you would like to buy 1 and I can bring to club sessions this week Helen J

Debbie’s family have shared details for her funeral on Tuesday 9th May as below. We are aware this would usually be a striders club night so more details on that will follow. I’m sure the funeral will be very well attended as people pay respect to Debbie - she certainly was one in a million 💜💜💜💜💚💙💚💙💚💙💜💜💜💜 https://www.dignityfunerals.co.uk/funeral-notices/22-04-2023-deborah-edwards/?ts=638182023737162711&fbclid=IwAR3yWZLwusC_T2bagpRl8Bd7hslmKXH9m4ujHBOaePmZu4jxf7buCc-Pgmw

Thank you to everyone who came along to the barrage to celebrate Debbies’s life. I’m sure she ordered the sun to shine down on us. As Gary said at the start of the run Debbie loved Striders and on nights like tonight you can see just how special our little running club is 💚💙💚💙💚💙

As previously posted,  tomorrows Striders club session at Tees Barrage  will be an all inclusive social run and an opportunity for Striders to support each other & share all the happy & wonderful memories of our very loved and special lady Debbie Edwards. The comments on yesterdays post and messages received are testimony to what a lovely & inspirational member of the Striders family Debbie was. There will be no need to book on the session and there will be no charge. If people can meet near the start of the old parkrun (near the Anchor) at 6:20pm with a view to commencing the session at 6:30pm. Please also if you can wear your Stockton Striders colours in memory of Debbie. 💚💙💚💙💚💙💚💙💚💙💚💙💚💙

We still have 2 spaces on the club bus for the Leeds marathon & half marathon on 14th May up for grabs - cost will be around £20-£22 per person return … departing from the club at around 6:45am and leaving Leeds around 4:30pm … let me know if interested thanks Helen J