Parky weather fails to dampen Sir Jimmy fundraisers’ spirits

His great niece and nephew Samantha and Samuel Smith arranged the Savile Simple Mile around one of Sir Jimmy’s favourite beauty spots, Roundhay Park lake, which he could look out over from his Leeds penthouse flat.

Saturday’s event was designed to raise funds for the spinal ward at Leeds General Infirmary and also for a new charity to raise funds for good causes. Samantha, 23, a science technician, and her husband Samuel, a special needs support assistant, whose mum, Jo Smith, is Jimmy’s niece, say they are honoured to carry on his fundraising legacy.

Samantha, of Pontefract, who works at Castleford High School, said: “It was quite a poor turnout with only five people turning up for the run but we are hoping for better things in May when we hold it again over the Bank Holiday period.

“This was a good learning curve for us and very beneficial for planning the next one. We have got all the paperwork in order and lots of people showed their support on a very cold day both financially and with their tales of Jimmy.”

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