Over 200 runners join 5K in memory of Henry Nowak

About 200 people wore red while taking part in a 5,000km run held in remembrance of Arsenal football fan Henry Nowak, the event's organiser said.

The 18-year-old, from Chafford Hundred, Essex, was stabbed to death as he walked home after a night out in Southampton on 3 December.

The run took place on Saturday and was organised by Mary McLoughlin, 65, from Chafford Hundred Running Club, who added: "We were really impacted by what happened to Henry, he was a lovable boy."

McLoughlin said Sylvia Merrigan helped her organise the event and it brought communities and people from different faiths and backgrounds together.

McLoughlin added: "I thought it would be a nice thing to support the family to show them that they are in our thoughts and prayers.

She said the supermarket Morrisons, where Nowak used to work, had provided the event with water and snacks.

She said the event was fantastic but also very emotional, adding: "People were pleased to be there to show their support to the family and I think the family were grateful that we were there to show support to them."

Jen Craft, the MP for Thurrock, attended the run and said: "It was really lovely, it showed Thurrock at its best."

In a short speech at the start of the event, Lucy Ross, Nowak's mum, said: "It's days like this that help the family keep going."

Craft said: "It was a really warm event you saw the best of what our community looked like."

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