'Big Ginge' Chris Brown returns to New Forest Marathon for Lahna Appeal

ONE of Lymington’s most flamboyant characters is once again taking on a challenge that has seen him raise over £5,000 for a charity founded in memory of a baby girl who died at six months old.

Normally Chris Brown is a mild mannered data analyst at the town’s hospital – but every year for a 10K fundraising run he transforms into his alter ego 'Big Ginge' who charts his training regime with comedy videos and social media postings.

They show him donning a bright orange wig and kilt in training for his annual challenge, which this year will be the New Forest Marathon, on Sunday.

He will be raising money and awareness of the Lahna Appeal, named after little Lahna Beatty who died suddenly after contracting two viruses which damaged her heart.

Chris works with Lahna’s dad, Lance Beatty, associate director of Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust, at Lymington hospital where her mother Natasha was also employed.

Natasha praised Chris saying: “What he has managed to achieve over the last five years is remarkable.

“He has raised well over £5,000 which has been spent on some vital equipment for Southampton general and Prince Anne hospitals.”

Natasha, who runs Ringwood's Fresh Kitchen Cookery School, told how Lahna was born a “beautiful, healthy baby” before she tragically contracted the two common viruses.

She said: “They damaged her heart and she suffered a heart attack in my arms.

“It was a terrible time but Chris has helped a lot by what he has done. The support he has shown for our family is just immense and we cannot thank him enough.”

The marathon takes place at the New Park showground in Brockenhurst starting at 10.30am.

Chris, who Nicky said is “normally a very quiet, unassuming man”, has promised a special 'Ginge' outfit for the day.

Since the charity was founded in 2009 it has funded a CX40 ultrasound scanner, a heart probe for the paediatric cardiology unit, an underwater heart monitor for Ashurst birthing centre and equipment for Princess Anne Hospital, including a pool birthing room dedicated in Lahna’s name.

To donate visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/bigginge2022