A childhood friend of Alice Ruggles, who was murdered by her ex-boyfriend, has started a 250-mile running challenge in her memory. Lucy Parkinson is running from Newcastle to Leicester over nine days to raise money for the Alice Ruggles Trust, a charity set up by Alice’s family to raise awareness of stalking.
Nine-day challenge under way
Lucy, who grew up with Alice in Leicester, began the challenge from the banks of the Tyne on the morning of October 4. She will cover just over a marathon distance each day during the nine-day event.
It has been almost 10 years since Alice, 24, was killed by her ex-boyfriend Trimaan Dhillon in Gateshead. The Northumbria University graduate was subjected to a campaign of stalking and harassment by former soldier Dhillon after their brief relationship ended.
Remembering Alice
Speaking to the Chronicle as she set off, the 34-year-old said: “What we want to do is remember Alice as Alice, not what happened to her. She was such a joyous person. It's remembering her as her, but also making sure we stop the awful thing that happened to her happening to other people.”
Dhillon became obsessed with Alice after they split. He hacked into her social media accounts and bombarded her with abusive calls, messages and emails. On October 12, 2016, he drove 120 miles from his Army barracks in Edinburgh to her home on Rawling Road in Bensham, where he killed her. He denied murder at Newcastle Crown Court, but was convicted by the jury and jailed for life.
Trust’s work
The Alice Ruggles Trust delivers prevention education programmes to help young people identify the signs of stalking and recognise 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.
Donations can be made via Lucy’s page on the fundraising site JustGiving.
