Family to run in memory of Afghan hero (From The Northern Echo)

Family to run in memory of Afghan hero

11:35am Friday 10th September 2010 in

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FAMILY members of a serviceman killed in Afghanistan will take part in the Great North Run in his memory.

Corporal Marcin Wojtak, of 34 Squadron RAF Regiment, based at RAF Leeming, North Yorkshire, died in an explosion in Helmand Province, in October last year.

His siblings and cousins are hoping to raise more than 2,000 for military charity Help For Heroes.

Cpl Wojtak's brother Janek and sister Gosia Brown, along with his cousins Kasia and Michael Cybulski (ALL CORR), will take part in the run, from Newcastle to South Shields, on September 19.

Mrs Brown said: "Marcin loved his job and in it found his true vocation. He lived and breathed the RAF and was a real figurehead on his squadron.

"He completed three tours of Afghanistan and it was at the tender age of 24 and on his fourth tour when he lost his life."

Cpl Wojtak, from Leicestershire, was affectionately known as Big Ted to his comrades, family and friends. The group running in his memory has dubbed itself Big Ted's Team.

Mrs Brown said: "He was often reprimanded for looking after others instead of looking out for himself. For him, it was always about everyone else's happiness.

"Marcin was passionate about Help for Heroes and talked about how there were so many servicemen and women returning home with horrific injuries, who never really got a second mention.

"Help for Heroes helps in the rehabilitation of these soldiers, giving them access to support and facilities they would not have access to otherwise."

:: To sponsor the team's efforts, visit bmycharity.com/v2/bigtedsteam