AFTER the tragic loss of two classmates in quick succession, former Bishop Challoner students are set to take part in a charity run being held in their memory.

As previously reported in The Gazette, Ivory Lapitan, 24, died on April 25, 2016 following an incident on the A33 near Micheldever.

Former Bishop Challoner pupils were rocked again when in January this year, another former student Kim Ashford died suddenly at the age of 24, from an ongoing heart condition.

This loss of the two friends has brought the class of 2008 back together, and a group of them will be taking par t in the Colour Run- A 5k run where participants have paint thrown at them- in London on June 11, in the memory of the pair and to raise money for two charities.

One of the former students who has helped organise the group Elizabeth Long said: “None of us are particularly high-class runners, so we wanted to do something which was more of a celebration of both Kim and Ivory.

“This, for us, is a reminder of how precious life is, and the importance of supporting great causes.”

The 25-year-old told The Gazette that despite the sad circumstances it has brought old friends back together.

She added: “We are now making a conscious effort to meet up more, and it is a bit bizarre seeing everyone having children or getting married.”

Elizabeth said with the group being very close when they were in school, the news of both girls dying so suddenly had come as a shock.

“One of the girls who is taking part in the Colour Run was best friends with both Ivory and Kim and they were known as the three musketeers, so it hit her quite hard.

“But doing this is a great way to remember both of them.”

The group taking part in the run will be raising money for the British Heart Foundation and Bowel Cancer UK.

To donate visit justgiving.com/fundraising/Challoner-ColourRun2017.