Folkestone Invicta fan Sam Jones runs London Marathon in memory of Paul Sykes

FOLKESTONE INVICTA fan Sam Jones is to run the London Marathon in memory of popular footballer Paul Sykes, who tragically lost his life whilst playing for the club against Margate in a Kent Senior Cup Semi-Final tie at Cheriton Road on 12 April 2005, aged 28.


Jones, 24, will be pounding the streets of London on Sunday, 21^st April, for the charity Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) in memory of Syko.

The striker joined Folkestone Invicta in November 2004 from Dartford.  Originally an apprentice at Gillingham, Sykes then made his name at then Conference club Welling United.

He joined Margate during the 1995-96 season and soon established himself as the club’s leading goalscoring as he was a member of Chris Kinnear’s side which won promotion from the Dr Martens League Southern Division and then won the Premier Division in 2000-01.

After recovering from some serious ankle and knee injuries he joined Dartford during the 2002-03 season and subsequently had a spell with Dover Athletic before returning to Tommy Sampson’s Darts.

He also had a loan spell at Folkestone Invicta midway through the 1995-96 season.

Despite being one of the world’s most challenging, long distance fun-runs, Jones hopes to complete all 26.2 miles in a maximum of four hours and 30 minutes.  It will be the first London Marathon that he has taken part in.

CRY relies on funds raised through public donations to support its bereavement support services and awareness raising campaigns both on a national and local level.

CRY has also provided a screening programme for over 15 years and regularly tests over 8,000 young people a year. They screen young people in the community as well as elite, Olympic athletes and work with a number of professional sporting bodies including the English Institute of Sport, the RFU, RFL, LTA and a number of FA teams.

Jones was motivated to run for CRY as Folkestone Invicta have been closely linked with the charity following the tragic death of their former player, who sadly collapsed on the pitch.

Jones told www.folkestoneinvicta.co.uk: “I feel privileged to be running for CRY. I originally missed the public ballot, so had to apply to the charity directly for a place in the Marathon. This means I have to meet a minimum pledge of £1,750 through my fundraising efforts.

”To be running in memory of Paul means a lot to me and to Paul’s family. It is important that I can raise as much money as possibly to support CRY and to pay tribute to the hundreds of young people who lose their lives to sudden cardiac death in the UK every year.”

Every week, 12 apparently fit and healthy young people (aged 35 and under) die from a previously undiagnosed heart condition.

Alison Cox MBE, CRY Founder and Chief Executive said: “Over the last 17 years, thousands of people of all ages have given up their time and energy – and gone to enormous lengths – to help raise funds for CRY.

”It takes enormous courage for friends and families who have been affected by young sudden cardiac death to be able to see beyond their own tragedy and want to raise funds for CRY to help save another life and prevent another family having to suffer in the way they have.

”I find it very humbling that despite their own terrible grief, they somehow manage to find the strength to support us to try and prevent other families from the same catastrophic grief as they have endured. On behalf of everyone at CRY.

”I would like to say a huge ‘thank you’ to Sam for taking part in the London Marathon this year.”

80% of young sudden cardiac deaths occur with no prior symptoms and many – although not all – of these young people will have been regularly involved in sport. Physical activity itself does not cause sudden cardiac death – but it can significantly increase a person’s risk if they have an underlying condition. That’s why CRY always offers free cardiac screening for its runners who wish to get ‘checked out’.

To sponsor Sam and help this fantastic cause, simply visit www.virginmoneygiving.com/samjones21

Visit Folkestone Invicta’s website: www.folkestoneinvicta.co.uk