George Handley came up with the idea to raise money and awareness
The unarmed black man died after a police officer restrained him by placing his knee on Mr Floyd’s neck for several minutes in Minneapolis in the United States.
His death has sparked widespread protests about the way black people are treated by police officers in the US.
George Handley and his younger brothers Keane, Ryan, Charlton, and Robson, will each run part of the 26.2 miles to raise money for Mr Floyd’s family and also the Black Lives Matter campaign.
Clockwise from top left: Keane, George, Ryan, Robson, and Charlton
George, 16, told Time 107.5: “We feel it’s vital to show solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement and to be an ally to the black community as it’s not enough to be ‘not racist’, you must be anti-racist.
“As the younger generation, we need to be able to make a difference because all of us can show racism shouldn’t be in our society.”
His brother, Keane, 14, added: “There are inequalities within society and for equalities to come about, we must raise the issues and injustices we have in our society – whether that be race, class, gender, or sexuality.”
George, Keane, and Ryan attend The Coopers Company & Coborn School in Upminster, highly regarded for the quality of its sport curriculum, and Charlton goes to Harold Park Court Primary.
George is a keen runner and footballer and will take on the majority of the challenge and each of his brothers, including two-year-old Robson, will also tackle some of the distance.
As a family of keen Manchester United supporters, George cites Marcus Rashford as one of his favourite footballers, as well as Borussia Dortmund and England winger Jadon Sancho, who displayed a Black Lives Matter message under his shirt when he scored in the Bundesliga at the weekend.
First professional hat trick ??. A bittersweet moment personally as there are more important things going on in the world today that we must address and help make a change. We have to come together as one & fight for justice. We are stronger together! ?? #JusticeForGeorgeFloyd ?? pic.twitter.com/ntOtwOySCO
— Jadon Sancho (@Sanchooo10) May 31, 2020
The Handley brothers will be taking on the challenge at Henderson’s Sports Ground on Sunday, 14 June.
They have already surpassed their initial £500 target in less than two days. You can donate to their Go Fund Me page here.
For more on this story, and the latest on our other local and national news, listen to Time 107.5FM
Tags: Havering, Harold Park
