Tributes To Andrew Carter

Family ask Lammas Park runners to respect his memory

Tributes have been paid to Andrew Carter who sadly died after taking part in the Ealing Half Marathon.

Organisers say the 33-year-old collapsed near the finish line, received on site medical attention and was taken immediately to a local hospital but died on Wednesday.

Race Director Kelvin Walker, said:

'' We would like to express our deepest condolences and our thoughts are with Andrew’s family and friends who have asked for privacy during this sad time.  The family have issued an announcement which they would like us to share and we are working closely with Andrew’s family to find a fitting tribute to Andrew. Please do take the time to read the announcement and we thank everyone for their support and for respecting Andrew’s family’s request for privacy at this terribly sad time.''

ANDREW CARTER FAMILY ANNOUNCEMENT

It is with great sadness that we announce that Andrew Carter, runner in Sunday’s Ealing Half Marathon, passed away peacefully in the early hours of Wednesday 1st October.

Andrew collapsed shortly before the end of Sunday’s race following a cardiac arrest which caused later medical complications after his arrival at a local hospital.

Whilst this has been a devastating event in our lives we would like to thank a number of people. Andrew was fortunate enough to receive almost immediate professional CPR treatment from fellow runners, as well as the most dedicated medical care from the hospital staff which enabled his family and friends to spend precious moments with him during his final hours for which we will be forever grateful.

We are also thankful for the many messages of love and support from Andrew’s extended family, friends and colleagues, as well as the many messages from members of the Ealing running community and local residents which have helped to ease the pain over the past few days.

Andrew was a man who typified all that is great about life. He loved his family, his friends, his work and his life, and in return he was rewarded with love and friendship. He also loved his life in Ealing which had become his home over the past five years.

He was a fit and healthy 33 year old who loved sports and especially his running and his unforeseen and premature death has come as a huge shock. Some small comfort has been taken from the fact that he fell moments from his home and in a place where he ran most days and this will help his friends and family to be reminded of his enduring presence.

Whilst we as his immediate family will deal with his passing in our own way and hope that our privacy will be respected during this difficult time, it would be fitting if those who shared his love of running and attitude to life could honour him the next time they visit the western end of Lammas Park by simply stopping their run and taking a moment to respect his memory.

We look forward to working with the support of the event organisers and the Ealing community in providing a fitting tribute to our son, brother and uncle in Lammas Park in the future and hope that his spirit for life will inspire others to support the Ealing Half Marathon and live life with the same enthusiasm and generosity as Andrew did.

We will miss him always.

The Carter family

October 3, 2014