Tur Langton Woman’s Memory Honoured With 250-Mile Fundraising Run

A friend of a young woman from Tur Langton who was murdered by her ex-partner is taking on a 250-mile running challenge to mark ten years since her death.

Lucy Parkinson is aiming to complete the distance over nine days in memory of Alice Ruggles, who was 24 when she was killed following a campaign of stalking.

The route will connect Newcastle, where Alice went to university and made her home, with Leicester, where Alice and Lucy met at school, before finishing in Tur Langton where Alice grew up and her parents live.

Lucy and (inset) Alice

Lucy is beginning the challenge today, aiming to complete more than a marathon a day and is raising money for the Alice Ruggles Trust, which was established by Alice’s parents following her death.

The charity delivers education programmes to help young people recognise the signs of stalking and unhealthy behaviours in relationships. It also trains professionals who may encounter victims or perpetrators of stalking, including those working in policing, criminal justice, social care and education.

Lucy has already secured sponsorship of more than £5,000 ahead of the challenge and spoke to HFM:

Alice was murdered in October 2016 by her former partner, soldier Trimaan Dhillon, following a campaign of stalking and harassment after their relationship ended.

During their relationship, Dhillon was controlling and coercive. After they separated, his behaviour escalated into stalking, including hacking into Alice’s phone and social media accounts, contacting her family and repeatedly turning up at her home.

On October 12th 2016, Dhillon travelled from his Army barracks in Edinburgh to Alice’s home in Gateshead, where he killed her.

He denied murder at Newcastle Crown Court but was convicted by a jury and sentenced to life in prison.

Stalking is estimated to affect around 1.5 million people in the UK each year, with young people aged between 16 and 24 disproportionately affected.

Lucy’s fundraising page is available HERE