Bench is to mark Skye's Leeds park spot

The story of a late two-year-old girl, whose smile has inspired a run in her memory, will be forever remembered through a memorial bench to be unveiled on Valentine's Day.
By The Newsroom
Published 2nd Feb 2016, 07:57 BST
Updated 2nd Feb 2016, 07:59 BST
Parents Damion Sutcliffe and Amie Mills pictured last year with their late daughter Skye Sutcliffe, who passed away in December. Picture by Tony Johnson.Parents Damion Sutcliffe and Amie Mills pictured last year with their late daughter Skye Sutcliffe, who passed away in December. Picture by Tony Johnson.
Parents Damion Sutcliffe and Amie Mills pictured last year with their late daughter Skye Sutcliffe, who passed away in December. Picture by Tony Johnson.

Skye Sutcliffe, from Middleton, passed away in December following a long battle with two forms of blood cancer but her upbeat attitude has driven her family to stage the second annual ‘Running for Skye’ fundraising 5km run in Middleton Park.

The February 14 event, which will raise vital funds for the Delete Blood Cancer UK and Candlelighters charities, will also feature a poignant balloon release and the opening of a memorial bench.

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Having launched a crowdfunding page last month to help raise £700 towards the cost of the bench, the south Leeds community once again got behind the family and has so far donated more than £900.

South Leeds showed its support for Skye’s parents, Amie Mills and Damion Sutcliffe, through a ‘Light Up the Skye’ lantern release in December shortly after her death.

Amelia Sockett, Amie’s mum and Skye’s nana, said: “We want to use the bench as a positive thing. People will always know of it and the story behind it. It will be there forever as a memorial.”

She added: “It’s just been amazing, it makes everything a lot easier to deal with when you know other people understand and are there for us when we need them.”

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Skye was initially diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic and myeloid leukaemia when she was 20 weeks old. Her brother Harvey donated bone marrow to her in August 2014 but late last year her condition relapsed and her illness was deemed terminal.

Fun runners can walk or run the 5k event on February 14. Fancy dress is optional.

Tickets are priced from £7 in advance or on the day. Sign-in starts at 10.30am. Visit runleeds.co.uk/runningforskye for facebook.com/SkyesALL.

To donate to Skye’s fundraising pages visit justgiving.com/Skye-Sutcliffe1 or justgiving.com/Skye-Sutcliffe.

Related topics:LeedsMiddletonSkye