A TEENAGER has already raised several thousand pounds as he prepares to take on a popular Powys running race in memory of his father.

Theo Earp, 16, lost his policeman dad Gareth last year, after he was involved in a car accident while returning home from work.

Gareth Earp, from Rhayader, was just 43 when he died at the scene of a two-vehicle road traffic collision on the A470 between Rhayader and Llangurig on June 29.

The death of Gareth, a highly respected officer with Dyfed Powys Police, hit the local community especially hard.

His family, including wife Tamsin and middle son Theo, as well as brothers Ethan and Joel, have since received fantastic support from the Care of Police Survivors (COPS) charity. And it is this support that prompted Theo to want to give a little back.

County Times: Gareth pictured with his wife, Tamsin. Gareth pictured with his wife, Tamsin. (Image: Earp family)

He will enter the 10K event at the upcoming Rhayader Round the Lakes race in March, and he has already raised nearly £3,000.

“COPS have helped us out so much during a tough time, so it’s just to give back to them,” said Theo, who is currently studying carpentry in college.

“Other families involved in policing have gone through the same thing as us, so that’s why I wanted to do something for them.

“The original target was £500 but we’ve flown past that. It’s something I’d like to do as an annual event.”

This year’s Rhayader Round the Lakes Race takes place on Saturday, March 2. The race offers runners distances of 10 and 30 kilometres, which both begin and finish at Rhayader Rugby Club.

The 30k race runs through the picturesque countryside of the Elan Valley, over one of the most scenic courses in the UK. The route is challenging and exposed to the weather, especially on the higher parts of the route.

The 10k route takes you out to the Elan Valley and back to the town.

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Mum Tamsin said Theo wanted to take on the gruelling 30K (over 18 miles) race but decided on the 10K because you have to be 18 to run the longer event.

“He just wanted to do something for his dad,” said Tamsin.

“He wanted to do the full race but he’s too young, so he’s doing the 10K instead.

“COPS have been really good to us. After Gareth’s funeral we got invited to an event, they gave the kids counselling and also paid for the kids’ driving lessons, so we wanted to give something back. “Theo thought about raising £500 but it’s just gone way above that. The support has been amazing and really speaks volumes about living in tiny, rural communities.”

Theo’s impressive total so far stands at £2,781 and it will surely surpass £3,000. Rhayader pub the Lamb and Flag is organising a series of charity events over the weekend of February 16-17, including live music, an auction, quiz and coffee morning, with Theo’s Round the Lakes fundraiser one of the causes.

County Times: Rhayader Town paid tribute to Gareth Earp following his death, mowing his giant 'GE' initials into the Weirglodd pitch. Rhayader Town paid tribute to Gareth Earp following his death, mowing his giant 'GE' initials into the Weirglodd pitch. (Image: None)

In the midst of such a traumatic time for the family, Tamsin paid tribute to her middle son, who managed to pass his theory test on the eve of Gareth’s funeral, having also met King Charles and Queen Camilla the day before too.

The meeting proceeded a personal letter Tamsin had been sent by the royal couple following Gareth’s tragic death.

Charles and Camilla visited Brecon on July 20 last year, with the royals taking time to meet Tamsin and the boys. Gareth’s funeral took place in Rhayader the following day.

Gareth, who was chairman of Rhayader Town Football Club, died before seeing Theo sign for the senior side. He now represents the Red Kites’ reserve team, with Tamsin adding that a football-themed fundraiser is being planned for the one-year anniversary of Gareth’s death, in June.

On Theo’s Just Giving fundraising page, Tamsin said: “They (COPS) provide peer support opportunities and access to counselling services to help surviving family members rebuild their shattered lives.”

Since its foundation in 2003, COPS has helped hundreds of police families devastated by the loss of a loved one while on duty.

If you’d like to donate to Theo’s cause, visit https://www.justgiving.com/page/tamsin-earp-1702844732684.