Kirsten’s £1m web plan in memory of John (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Kirsten’s £1m web plan in memory of John

12:24am Tuesday 25th March 2008

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A talented Bingley Harriers athlete who set up a charity following the tragic sudden death of her partner aims to raise £1 million to boost funds via a unique internet initiative.

Kirstin Bailey has launched the million pound advertisement, in which users can pay £1 for a logo to appear on the home page with a link to their own website.

The runner set up the John Taylor Foundation after her partner of the same name collapsed with heart failure in August, 2002.

John, who was also a talented athlete, died 24 hours after running in a British Championship Fell Race. He was found to suffer with cardiomyopathy, a disease of the heart muscle.

The couple met through a shared passion for running and in May, 2002, shared a unique double when they both became Yorkshire fell running champions.

Kirstin said: "John was always interested in helping young people get involved in sport and as a couple we would talent spot young runners.

"He thought there was a shortage of young people coming into the sport. We used to talk about it for hours. He was also so looking forward to having children of his own.

"Now I want to make sure that the foundation grows into something as big as possible to help young people involved in the sport."

Kirstin, 36, has since married Simon Bailey and they live in Cheshire with their baby son Oliver.

But she is still committed to the foundation, which raises awareness of cardiomyopathy and assists young athletes.

She said: "It is extremely sad that John died. I was with him when he died. My life has moved on and I am happy with my life. I am just trying to do something that John would approve of. He was such a nice person. You see people who don't appreciate their lives, but John was someone so special and he died.

"I love my work with the foundation and wanted to think of a unique idea of raising awareness and money for it and other charities.

"I wanted to combine my love of web site creativity, charity work and allow not only myself but other people to make money to make a difference and achieve the goal of creating the millionpound-ad."

Kirstin believes the idea is the first of its kind and participants have the opportunity to win £100,000. The website also aims to help registered charities of advertisers' choice.

For more information visit millionpound-ad.co.uk.

The John Taylor Foundation has helped many young athletes, including Carrie Hewitt, who won the World Junior Mountain Running Championship in Alaska and more recently Adam Grice, who finish 5th in the World Mountain Running Championships - an event close to John's heart.

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