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Fundraising effort in tribute to Maidstone man Rob Payne sees more than £5,500 raised for hospital's intensive care unit

More than £5,500 has been raised by a woman who is completing a running challenge in memory of a Maidstone man.

Rob Payne died at Maidstone Hospital aged 61 in February, having contracted coronavirus.

Rob Payne, right, alongside son Daniel
Rob Payne, right, alongside son Daniel

Now Sam Wheeler, a friend of Mr Payne’s step-daughter, Kat, has decided to run 100 miles this month to raise funds for the intensive care unit team at the Hermitage Lane hospital.

Initially, the 39-year-old aimed to raise £100 so she could buy 100 Easter eggs for them but has been “overwhelmed” by the response to her fundraising efforts.

Miss Wheeler said: “Rob died quite suddenly from Covid.

“I know everyone has got their own story now, and it has been going on for so long, but I think it was, obviously, very sad.

“He was poorly at home but then, the transition from him being at home, then going into hospital, and then passing quite quickly was quite a shock for their family.

Sam Wheeler
Sam Wheeler

“Rob was a lovely person. I’m really close to Rob’s step-daughter, we’re quite good buddies. I just thought it was really horrible.

“I just thought the challenge would be a nice thing to do.

“Really, I was only looking for £100 to buy some Easter eggs and, obviously, I checked with the family they were comfortable with me doing that.

“I just really wanted to do something to honour him and show his life was important.

“It’s just so - to the family - he doesn’t seem like a statistic and he is gone.

Rob Payne alongside grand-daughter, Zoe
Rob Payne alongside grand-daughter, Zoe

“But I didn’t expect, after setting up the fundraising page, for it to get so many donations so quickly.

“So I have been a bit overwhelmed.”

The challenge may seem gruelling but Miss Wheeler from Warlingham, Surrey, is a keen runner. She is also asking friends via social media to donate a mile out of their runs to help her reach her target.

“It has been going alright,” she said.

"It's just so - to the family - he doesn't seem like a statistic and he is gone...."

“I do run anyway, so it’s not like I have just put on a pair of trainers for the first time.

“I’m enjoying it but, obviously, you get aches and pains when you are running, don’t you?

“So I’m always moaning about something.”

But she added: “I think I will hit the mileage - hopefully - without too much difficulty.”

The total raised includes a £2,000 donation from Hovis, where Mr Payne most recently worked as a project manager.

Miss Wheeler said: “I have been really overwhelmed by how generous and kind some people were.

“Rob meant a lot to a lot of people.

“Then my friends, Kat’s friends and family, and Daniel’s friends have all been super generous and kind.

“They have also left me really motivational messages like ‘Keep going, Sam’. I get lots of little notes.

“That’s nice, and it’s nice to see the kindness of people.”

Mr Payne, who grew up in Peckham before moving to Maidstone where he had lived for the last 20 years, most recently on Harvesters Way, died on February 9 and he leaves behind partner Christine, son Daniel, daughter Saffi and step-daughter Kat.

Go to www.tinyurl.com/KMrunforrob to contribute to the fundraising campaign.

Read more: All the latest news in Maidstone

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