THE cousin of Violet-Grace Youens has completed a four-mile run in her memory.
Charlie Leonard, now aged nine, was born four months after Violet.
They had a very close relationship and the cousins were described as “inseparable”.
On the day Violet, who was four, was hit by a speeding stolen car on Prescot Road, on March 24, 2017, she had spent the afternoon at Charlie’s house, playing with him.
Thursday, March 24 marked the fifth anniversary of the tragic event, with Charlie taking on the four-mile run.
The St Julie’s pupil started his run at his home in Waterside Village.
His route took him along Prescot Road, past De La Salle School, then on to St Julie’s Primary School, where Violet was due to start school the following September.
Charlie decided to do the run to raise money for two charities close to his heart, Violet Grace’s Gift and also the Isabella Rose Foundation, who helped Charlie access a psychiatrist after he had been diagnosed with PTSD following the tragedy.
A group of school staff, family and friends were at the finish line to greet Charlie as he passed the violet-coloured finish line at the school gates.
Charlie’s mum Lisa said when he had decided to do the run, he said: “‘I want to do something that can make me feel good when I’m feeling sad’.”
He is hoping that he is going to raise awareness about speeding and PTSD.
After the run, Lisa said: “I’m so proud of him, he has done so well and it is really lovely that he wanted to do this.
“I’d like to thank Laurel Villa dentists, Daydreams Nursery, Violet-Grace’s Gift and the staff at St Julie’s School.
“And a thank you to the parents and friends of Charlie’s for coming out to support him.”
Lisa added: “Violet and Charlie were so close and were just the most beautiful children.
“She was only four months older than Charlie but Violet mothered him, she was such a bright little girl.”
Violet-Grace’s Gift is a non-profit organisation who help bereaved families and the local community.
The Isabella Rose Foundation supports families who have suffered the loss of a baby or child.
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