Hundreds Run for Joel at home five years on from Tunisia attack

When Covid shut down Run for Joel at Sandwell Valley Park, due to be held today, organiser Suzy Evans from Wednesbury was determined to still see the event go ahead.

She came up with the idea of Run for Joel #RunFromHome so those who wanted to could still take part – but by running around their gardens or neighbourhoods.

The event raises money for Suzy's charity Smile for Joel, which she set up with her son Owen.

Her eldest son Joel Richards, 19, her brother Adrian Evans, 49, and her father Patrick Evans, 78 – all from Wednesbury – were all killed in the terrorist attack on the beach at Sousse in June 2015.

Only Owen, who was 16 at the time, made it home alive. Thirty Britons were among 38 people killed in the massacre.

Smile for Joel has since helped thousands of other families who have lost relatives in terrorism or homicide attacks.

And Suzy said they wanted to make this year's Run for Joel extra special as it was the fifth anniversary.

She said: "But then Covid happened and Sandwell Valley said we couldn't have a gathering that big, normally we have 1,000 people.

"We've had so many events we've had to cancel and postpone this year – we haven't had an event since February. As a charity it's hit us really hard, as it has many charities.

"But we thought, let's still do it and ask people to do it from home over the weekend and send in their pictures. So more than 500 people ended up registering and doing it. We sent them their bibs and their limited edition Run for Joel wristband.

"It was amazing. It really warmed the heart, we were touched. I thought if we got 200 people then great but to get 500 was incredible. We had people all over the country doing it, in Newcastle, Cornwall, everywhere. People even messaged on the day asking if they could take part.

"We went down to the park with close family members and ran a 3km. We took a big number five balloon to celebrate the anniversary."

Former Aston Villa footballer Marc Albrighton was just one of the participants of #RunFromHome, as were several other famous faces including Elise Evans and Daz Hale from BBC WM.

"Seeing this response has been overwhelming," added Suzy. "And to see Joel's teachers and his old lecturers do it, that's been so lovely. They're all remembering him and they're never going to forget him.

"We've raised £4,000 so far and we're still counting. We're so chuffed."

Today, news broke that three suspected Islamic militants were shot dead after a knife attack in the same Tunisian resort where Suzy's family members were killed five years ago.

The suspects were shot dead by Tunisian security forces after a police officer was killed in the coastal resort town of Sousse.

Suzy said: "We've heard of a lot of police being targeted in Tunisia.

"There are a lot of things going on there at the moment and we shouldn't be visiting there at all, not at the moment.

"There are still things about our case that we are fighting to find out about. It's a big concern."

Visit smileforjoel.com for more.