An annual hammer throw competition in memory of a much-missed supporter of Cumbrian athletics will be held in Carlisle this weekend.
The Sheepmount will on Saturday host the annual ‘Lesley Little Throws’ competition.
It will raise money for LIVErNORTH, a charity which helps transplant patients and families, and carries out research into liver disease.
Lesley Little, who died in 2023 aged 71, had a rare liver disease called Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC) and, after a transplant, LIVErNORTH provided huge help to help husband John to stay close to the Freeman hospital in Newcastle whilst Lesley recovered from the operation in 2007.
Long-serving Cumbrian athletics coach John says about 24 athletes are set to compete on Saturday.
Many of these are under-15 and under-17s from Cumbria, Scotland and Lancashire.
Also due to attend is Cumbrian former British hammer champion Tara Simpson-Sullivan, who also won a number of accolades during her time at university in the USA.
Lesley Little was a devoted supporter of Cumbrian athletes for many years despite a number of health battles, which included bowel cancer and Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.
“Despite her illnesses over the years Lesley supported Cumbrian athletics, travelling up and down the country to various events including Border Harriers meetings in the British League, National championships when son, David, was competing, and sometimes acted as a team manager for the Cumbrian team at the English Schools Championships,” added John.
Saturday’s competition will see trophies for the winners in each age group, while all competitors will receive a medal.
Entry fees of £5 will be donated to LIVErNORTH. For more information on the charity visit its website HERE.
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