English Man runs Scottish Marathon for Welsh Miners!

My name is Dean Haycock and on Sunday 25th May 2025 I am running the Edinburgh Marathon.

My chosen charity is North Wales Miners Association Trust Ltd (NWMAT).

NWMAT aim to promote, preserve and record the mining heritage of North Wales.

I live in Birmingham, but my boyfriend lives in Wrexham and has strong links with the mining industry. His Taid (Grandad) Tommy was a Gresford miner and his Great-Great Uncle John Thomas Williams sadly died in the Gresford Mining Disaster 1934.

In the Gresford Mining Disaster on 22nd September 1934, an explosion ripped through the Denis section of the Gresford colliery at approximately 2am with 500 men working underground. The explosion was quickly followed by fire and 261 miners died. Despite brave efforts, 3 members of the rescue brigade lost their lives, the fire could not be brought under control and believing that nobody could possibly be alive in the mine the decision was taken to seal the shafts. Only 11 bodies were recovered and 255 remained underground.

261 miners died because of the explosion, 3 rescue workers lost their lives during rescue attempts, 1 surface worker died a few days later and 1 miner died from shock, bringing a terrible death toll of 266.

I am raising funds for NWMAT to ensure that the work to raise awareness of the Gresford Disaster can be continued so that future generations will not forget the plight of the miners and keep the industrial heritage of North Wales alive for years to come.