Pink fairy gesture for little Chantel (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Pink fairy gesture for little Chantel

1:11pm Thursday 7th September 2006 in Swindon By Gordon Simpson

THE parents of tragic eight-year-old Chantel Boland are touched by the decision of funeral director Paul Tollafield to run the Swindon half marathon in her memory.

Chantel died at home in April from a brain tumour and Mr Tollafield, 47, of York Road, Swindon, came to know her family after helping to arrange her funeral.

Chantel's mother Hayley, 29, said she and her husband Paul, 29, of Eden Croft, Highworth, thought it was a wonderful gesture.

The money he raises will go to Swindon-based children cancer charity CALM.

Mrs Boland said: "We are really thrilled and it's just nice in the sense it keeps her memory alive.

"We are touched by the fact he's doing it for 'Tel.

"He never met her sadly, but knowing us and hearing of the sort of person she was has spurred him on and we're thrilled he wants to do it.

"That's all we have got now really, is things like that.

"It won't change anything, but for us it keeps her memory alive and we're so glad.

"Everybody has been fantastic and we can't thank everybody enough."

Mr Tollafield, who works at Hiller Funeral Service, Whitworth Road, will run in Chantel's favourite colour, dressed as a pink fairy.

"She would have found that hilarious, so it all adds to it," said Mrs Boland.

CALM aims to give support to families and improve the quality of life of their children, as they battle the disease. The charity is managed and administered by parents on a voluntary basis.

Mr and Mrs Boland, who have a three-year-old daughter, Gracie, will be at the event on October 15, to support the funeral director.

Mr Tollafield said: "I dealt with the family and thought it would be a nice way to remember her and raise some money for charity.

"I asked her parents if it was okay and they were really happy with the idea."

Mr Tollafield, who will be running with his 17-year-old son Josh, has already completed over 15 marathons.

Last year he ran the half marathon in sweltering heat, dressed as a skeleton, in aid of the Thamesdown Hydrotherapy Pool.

He said his choice of costume this year should make it easier for him.

"Last year I was dressed as a skeleton to raise money raise money for the Thamesdown Hydrotherapy Pool and it was far too hot," he said. "But this time it shouldn't slow me down."