Three siblings from Somerset are taking on the Barry Island 10K in memory of their dad who loved the seaside town.

It will be the first Father’s Day that Emily Brenchley, 37, William Brenchley, 35, and Charlie Rich-Lynes, 33, will spend without their dad, Tom, since losing him to pericarditis – an inflammation of the lining of the heart.

Emily, who now lives in Yeovil and works as a Client Service Manager for Cancer Screening Trust and hypnotherapist, said: “Dad didn’t like to make a fuss and we weren’t aware of how poorly he was.

“My sister Charlie got married in Greece in May last year and we’d all gone over for a holiday. Dad was usually such a big character and so full of life, but he seemed quite inside himself. He was very quiet and reserved and we could tell he wasn’t himself. He mentioned he had something wrong with his heart and he very quickly deteriorated.”

The family came back on May 18 and the following day Tom was admitted to University Hospital Wales.

Emily said: “We found out dad had pericarditis. The lining of his heart was inflamed, and it couldn’t pump properly. Other health conditions meant he wasn’t able to go under general anaesthetic to fix it, and we were trying to find an alternative treatment plan for him.

“We have a lot of medical knowledge between us – my brother is a GP and my sister is a district nurse – but as we’re all spread out around the country it was difficult to liaise with the hospital. We temporarily moved to Cardiff to be nearby and while we knew the outcome would be that dad would pass from the condition, we didn’t expect it to happen so quickly.”

Tom, who had worked as an entrepreneur, sadly died in hospital on June 25 2024 aged 72.

Emily said: “It was a shock and we’re still coming to terms with his passing. We’re all in different stages of our grief. Charlie is very thankful that dad was there to walk her down the aisle, and William’s wife was pregnant with their first child. The day dad passed, she gave birth to their daughter Seren in the same hospital, so it was a mix of emotions.”

Tom moved to Cardiff when William went to university in the city and regularly visited Barry Island, which was his favourite place growing up.

“We wanted to do something in his favourite place to remember him,” said Emily. “When we saw entries were open for the Barry Island 10K, and that it was on Father’s Day, it felt very fitting to sign up and run together for him.

“Dad had family in Wales and used to holiday in Barry Island as a child. When he moved and we went to visit we’d always go to the beach and have fish and chips with him. We’ll very likely do this after the race with our mum and nieces too.

“Before he passed away he said he’d come back as a seagull. We’ve all since had seagull tattoos in his memory and have no doubt that one of the seagulls at the beach will be dad cheering us on.”

The Barry Island 10K takes place on Sunday 15 June. While general entries into the race have now sold out, those keen to take part can still run for lead charity Cancer Research Wales.

Matt Newman, Chief Executive at event organisers Run 4 Wales, added: “We’re looking forward to bringing back the Barry Island 10K this June and we’re so pleased that Emily, William and Charlie will be able to find some comfort in taking part in the event in the dad’s memory.”