Family and friends to raise funds in memory of Olli over May bank holiday weekend events.
On Sunday 24 May 2026, family and friends will take part in the Exeter Half Marathon and 10K during the Great South West Run weekend in support of Devon Air Ambulance and in memory of a special young man named Olly.
Known collectively as Team Olly, the combined fundraising effort was initiated by Olly’s cousin Sophie earlier this year (2026). Since then, the team has raised more than £25,000 thanks to the generosity of supporters, friends, family and the wider community. With race day approaching, they have now set their sights on an ambitious new target of £30,000.
This fundraising effort follows the tragic loss of Olly earlier this year after an avalanche accident in the French Alps. During the rescue, an air ambulance crew and specialist medical team transported him from Méribel to intensive care in Chambéry within 20 minutes, to give him the best possible chance of survival.
Although Olly’s accident happened in France, he had strong ties to Devon through his studies in Exeter, where he had fostered close friendships and developed plans for the future. Supporting Devon Air Ambulance felt like a fitting way to honour both the emergency care he received and the community he had come to call home.
Olly was also a talented trumpet player and familiar face across Devon towns, where he often busked and brought joy to passers-by through his music.
The Exeter events will bring together runners of all abilities under the Team Olly banner, united by friendship, remembrance and determination. Some have trained for months, while others are returning to running for the cause. Friends and family are also organising fundraising efforts further afield, including in Derbyshire, Berlin and Japan.
One team member said:
The support has been overwhelming. We hoped to raise awareness and a few thousand pounds, but to pass £25,000 already is incredible. Every donation, message and share means so much to us all. Extending the target to £30,000 feels like the perfect next step.
As race day approaches, supporters are expected to line the streets of Exeter to cheer Team Olly on every step of the way.
What began as a tribute has become a powerful show of community support – celebrating Olly’s life while raising vital funds for Devon Air Ambulance and the lifesaving work emergency crews carry out every day.
Thank you to Team Olly whose support of our service helps us to respond to time-critical incidents like Olli’s. To support Team Olly and help them to reach their £30,000 target, donations can be made via their JustGiving page.
The fundraising efforts over the May Bank Holiday weekend are in support of Olly.
