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Leeds Live
Leeds Live
National
matt millington

Family of murdered Poppy Devey Waterhouse to run Leeds Half Marathon in her memory

Family and friends of Poppy Devey Waterhouse will run the Leeds Half Marathon this summer in her memory.

According to friends, Poppy had in fact planned to run the race herself this year.

Tragically the 24-year-old was brutally murdered by her jealous former boyfriend in December 2018.

Today 25-year-old Joe Atkinson was sentenced to life behind bars, serving a minimum of 15 years for her death, after a 'frenzied and savage' attack at their flat near Leeds city centre on December 14.

In tribute to Poppy, a fundraising page, set up by friends who worked with her at William Hill, has raised over £5,000 in donations for two local charities, Martin House and St Gemma's Hospice in Leeds.

Poppy's dad Rupert and brother Zeb will join them to run the race, hoping to raise at least £6,000 in the process.

'Her infectious energy, and determination to never accept 'no' as an answer'

"The idea to run actually began with Poppy", the fundraising page explains.

"She had decided that 2019 would be the year that, amongst other new experiences and challenges, she would complete her first half marathon, in aid of charity.

"In turn, as was her nature, she was determined to bring some of her many friends along for the ride.

"Her infectious energy, and determination to never accept ‘no’ as an answer, meant she had already convinced a few of us, and was hard at work towards coaxing others."

Poppy's dad Rupert took to the stand during the sentencing of Atkinson, describing his 'brilliant and beautiful daughter', and how he 'misses her so terribly'.

Poppy's brother Zeb said 'I've lost the role model I had looked up to since the day I was born' in the emotional hearing at Leeds Crown Court.

In sentencing Atkinson, the judge asked 'why did you do this appalling thing?' in what he described was a 'violent and terrible death'.

Visit the dedicated fundraising page set up in memory of Poppy to donate funds in support of their Leeds Half Marathon run.

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