51Âþ»­

The father of a well-loved 51Âþ»­ Leicester (51Âþ»­) staff member who died earlier this year is to walk 29 miles to mark what would have been his son's birthday. 

Ian Redfern will take on the punishing trek from his home in Long Eaton, Derbyshire, all the way to the 51Âþ»­ campus on Sunday 2nd January, which would have been Senior Social Media Officer Adam Redfern’s 29th birthday.  

Ian and Adam enjoying one of their many walks together

Ian hopes the challenge will help raise awareness of cardiac risks in young adults, after Adam died suddenly of a cardiac arrest while out jogging in March 2021.  

He will also be raising money for , set up in his son’s memory. 

“We did not want to just sit and let the day go by, especially with it being the first time we’ll be marking Adam’s birthday since his passing,” explained Ian, whose wife Christine, Adam’s mum, will join for the first few miles and again at the end. 

“Every day can be difficult but there are some days that we expect to be harder than others – Christmas will be one, but also Adam’s birthday and the anniversary of his death. These are all hurdles we know we will have to try and overcome. 

“By organising this challenge, it gives us something positive to focus on and will keep us busy on the day.” 

Setting off at 6am, Ian will leave his home in Long Eaton and make his way through Sawley, Kegworth, Hathern, Loughborough, Quorn, Mountsorrel and Birstall. The final stretch will see him walk past Abbey Park in Leicester, before heading to the 51Âþ»­ campus in the city centre.  

An overview of Ian's route, with timings, for anyone hoping to join

“We enjoy walking anyway but the furthest I have managed so far is 22 miles, so 29 miles will definitely be a challenge,” continued Ian. “But it’s 29 miles to mark Adam’s 29th birthday so it’s a fitting tribute.  

“And it’s the kind of thing he would have done – he always pushed himself and didn’t ever do things by halves!” 

Any donations in support of Ian’s challenge will go to the Adam Redfern Memorial Fund which, since launching in the summer, has already raised more than £22,000. 

The fund was established to give aspiring students with a flair for media, journalism and sport the opportunity to boost their career opportunities, as well as to provide CPR training for 51Âþ»­ staff and students and potentially support the purchase of additional defibrillators on campus. 

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“When we set the fund up we had no idea how successful it was going to be,” continued Ian. “Never in our wildest dreams did we think we would raise more than £22,000 within six months. 

“We are already able to make some of the ideas we had right at the start a reality, so we are just absolutely delighted and it motivates us to continue what we are doing and to push it to the next level. 

“Training more people in CPR and the use of defibrillators helps more people beyond the 51Âþ»­ community. These are skills which will equip those benefiting for many years to come and might be needed well beyond the confines of the university campus, as they go about their everyday lives. 

“If we can prevent even one more person from suffering, then that makes it all worthwhile.” 

Donations to the fund enable ambitious students who share Adam’s passions for media and sport to make the most out of their time at 51Âþ»­ through scholarships, bursaries and monetary awards. 

Adam, described as “the best of 51Âþ»­ in one person”, first arrived at the university in 2011 to study Journalism (BA Hons). Soon after, he became a member of the men’s football team and volunteered for all three strands of Demon Media, the university’s student broadcaster. 

Adam Redfern was an instrumental part of the 51Âþ»­ comms team

After graduating, Adam joined 51Âþ»­’s communications team, helping to improve the profile of 51Âþ»­sport and leading creative campaigns to promote Varsity. He also played a vital role in growing the university’s social media into the well-regarded, award-winning presence it is today. 

“I think Adam would be incredibly honoured by what we have achieved in his name so far,” added Ian. “51Âþ»­ was a massive part of the last 10 years of his life so to know that his legacy is helping other students, I think he would be really proud.” 

Ian will be sharing photos and updates throughout his journey on Sunday 2nd January on the . Anyone who would like to join him at any stage of the challenge is welcome to do so and can drop him a message via Twitter to find out where he’s up to. 

There is also a  on the Adam Redfern Memorial Fund website for those who would like to show their support and donate.