A GREAT Sankey woman proved what friends are for after running the Manchester 10k at the weekend to raise cash for the Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace.

Barrow Hall Primary School teaching assistant Gemma McElwaine was 11-years-old when her best friend Abbi Parry’s brother Tim was killed by an IRA bomb attack in the town centre in March 1993.

It was a day she can still remember clearly and believes the death of soldier Lee Rigby in London last week highlights the importance of the Peace Centre and their work supporting victims of terrorism.

Gemma, who has known Abbi since they were four, said: “Over the past few months it has been an emotional time for a lot of people in Warrington but more so for my oldest friend.

“That morning myself, Abbi and another friend were on the bus to town and had the usual giggle and girly chat until we arrived in town.

“I could see people running from Horsemarket Street covered in black splashes and worry written over everyone’s faces.

“We made our way home and that was the last I saw of Abbi before her life was turned upside down.”

Like many other families in the town, Gemma said she sat at home watching the news waiting for updates that evening and said she did a double take when a picture of Abbi’s brother appeared on the screen.

The 31-year-old mum to Olivia, aged 11, added: “Anyone who knew Tim would agree he was a cheeky torment who never failed to make people laugh.

“I think his ear to ear grin was his pass to getting away with things and I'm sure if he was still with us he would have made as much of an impression on people’s lives as his legacy does today.

“Last year was the first time I had stepped foot in the Peace Centre and I couldn't believe what a difference this place was making.

“I was disappointed in myself that I had not been around to do something to help in the past 13 years and Wendy (Abbi’s mum) told me it was about time I raised some cash!”

Visit uk.virginmoneygiving.com/GemmaMcelwaine.