More than 200 runners don red as they complete 5km run in memory of Henry Nowak

More than 200 runners have dressed in red for a memorial 5km run paying tribute to Henry Nowak.

The event saw attendees gather in Chafford Hundred, Essex, on Saturday, with runners from all faiths, communities and backgrounds setting off from All Saints Church.

Mary McLoughlin from Chafford Hundred Running Club organised the memorial run, with assistance from Sylvia Merrigan, who felt compelled to act following the teenager's death.

Ms McLoughlin, 65, explained the local running club "were really impacted by what happened to Henry. He was a lovable boy."

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Henry was murdered while walking home after a night out in Southampton on December 3.

His attacker, Vickrum Digwa, stabbed Henry with a Sikh ceremonial blade and received a life sentence earlier this month with a minimum term of 21 years behind bars.

The case surged to national attention after the release of harrowing police body cam footage.

The case sparked national discussion around two-tier policing – with critics of the justice system claiming Henry Nowak's death would've been avoided had officers not been following DEI guidelines pushed by the force to treat people differently based on race.

Ms McLoughlin said she wanted to demonstrate solidarity with the grieving family, and believed the memorial run would give the Essex-based Nowak family a positive boost after weeks on unrelenting media attention.

"I thought it would be a nice thing to support the family to show them that they are in our thoughts and prayers," she said.

The organiser noted the contribution of many volunteers and that she "had a lot of help organising this".

She credited Ms Merrigan as key in bringing the community together for the event.

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Morrisons supermarket, where Henry had previously worked, supplied water and snacks for participants.

The local Sikh community also turned out to offer refreshments such as naans and onion bhajis.

All Saints Church also provided its facilities for the runners, offering toast, tea, coffee and hot chocolate, with access to toilets.

Ms McLoughlin described the atmosphere as both "wonderful and deeply moving".

"People were pleased to be there to show their support to the family and I think the family were grateful that we were there to show support to them," she said.

Lucy Ross, Henry's mother, addressed attendees before the run began, telling the crowd: "It's days like this that help the family keep going."

Thurrock MP Jen Craft participated in the run with the community and praised the spirit on display.

"It was really lovely, it showed Thurrock at its best," she said, "it was a really warm event – you saw the best of what our community looked like."

Many of Henry's former school friends also attended and shared memories of the teenager throughout the day.

The event raised more than £600 for 2wish – a charity supporting families affected by the sudden death of young people.

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