A determined mother from Somerset is preparing to run the London Marathon this Sunday, April 26, to support children still recovering from the traumatic Minehead coach crash. The crash, which occurred on July 17 last year, involved a school coach from Minehead Middle School that veered off the A396 near Wheddon Cross and slid down a 20-foot slope on its return journey from Exmoor Zoo.
Tragically, 10-year-old Oliver Price lost his life in the accident, and 21 other children were injured. Helen, Oliver’s mother, shared her ongoing concern for her son and others, many of whom continue to struggle with emotional trauma.
Helen is aiming to raise £1,000 to enable the school to bring in external specialists. These experts will work with small groups of children, helping them to better process their emotions and cope with the lasting impact of the crash. Helen explained that her son still has significant difficulties around large vehicles. “If a big vehicle goes by, you can instantly see in his body language that he’s scared and he cowers,” she said.
READ MORE: Yeovil Town Season Ends in Heavy Defeat to Solihull Moors
READ MORE: ‘Death of the High Street’ - Rising Costs Threaten Somerset Estate Agents and Renters
The headteacher at Minehead Middle School, Laura Mackie, expressed deep gratitude for the community’s outpouring of support. “Following the crash, our school community has been overwhelmed by kindness and generosity from near and far,” she told SomersetLive. She also praised Helen’s dedication and wished her the best of luck in the marathon.
Ms. Mackie added, “The fundraising efforts happening this weekend mean an incredible amount to our students, staff, and families. The commitment from Helen and all the runners taking part this weekend is truly inspiring. Their efforts, alongside the support from donors and the community, have been deeply moving.”
She concluded with a message of hope: “It has been an incredibly difficult time, but the compassion shown reminds us how strong and caring our community is. On behalf of the school, I want to say a heartfelt thank you. We are moving forward together, one step at a time, feeling very supported and very grateful.”