Nottingham attacks inquiry prompts victim’s son to take on half marathon
Darren Coates wants to ensure the names of Ian, Grace and Barnaby remain in people’s minds, as he trains to run the Robin Hood half marathon
The public inquiry into the Nottingham attacks has inspired one victim's son to take on a new challenge to keep their memories alive.
Darren Coates is training for the Robin Hood Half Marathon in memory of his dad, Ian Coates.
Ian was killed by Valdo Calocane on June 13, 2023, alongside 19-year-olds students Grace O’Malley-Kumar and Barnaby Webber. Three others were seriously injured.
After spending months attending the public inquiry into the attacks, Darren said he had been expecting to struggle once the hearings came to an end.
Instead, he decided to channel the end of the inquiry into something positive, taking on the 13.1-mile Robin Hood Half Marathon on Sunday, September 27.
The decision came after hearing Grace’s family talk about taking part in the race.
Darren said: “Towards the end of the inquiry, I realised that because I’m not working and I’d been busy with the inquiry every week, at some point I was going to crash.
“A week before it ended, Grace’s parents, her mum, aunties and uncles were talking about running it, and I just thought, why not?”
Darren is now aiming to raise at least £1,200 for Huntingdon Academy, where Ian worked as a site manager and caretaker for seven years.
But for him, the challenge is about far more than fundraising.
Darren said he is determined to ensure the impact of the attacks, and the lives of those lost, are not forgotten as time passes.
“I want to do it for everybody who was affected by that day,” he said.
“The amount of people who have got in touch through the GoFundMe, people who used to cut his hair and go fishing with him, has been so overwhelming.
“It shouldn’t be forgotten, neither should Barnaby and Grace.”
Darren said he wants people to remember the futures that were taken away from all three victims.
Grace had represented England in hockey and was planning to become a doctor, while Barnaby was a talented cricketer.
“My dad did a lot for Nottingham and the people in Nottingham, and I believe Grace and Barnaby would have done a hell of a lot in their lives,” Darren said.
“To cut them short, I can’t accept it. I’ve got to do something that will keep the legacy going and keep the names in people’s minds.”
Darren is also in discussions with an MP about the possibility of a plaque being installed in Bulwell as part of planned work along the River Line, which he hopes will commemorate Ian, Grace and Barnaby.
Ian's legacy at Huntingdon Academy is another key motivation behind Darren's fundraising.
He remembers his father as someone who took particular care of children who were struggling, often bringing pupils into his caretaker’s office when they were upset or having difficulties.
“He was happy if he made a difference,” Darren said.
“He was brilliant with misbehaved children. He just had a way of knowing how to act and talk to them.”
Darren now hopes his fundraising will help support the children at Huntingdon Academy and continue the work his father was passionate about.
Darren will be joined on the Robin Hood Half Marathon course by solicitor Neil Hudgell, Tim Moloney KC and other members of the Hudgell Solicitors team, who have supported the bereaved families throughout the legal process and inquiry.
“They’ve all been absolutely amazing people through this,” Darren said. “We couldn’t have wished for a better team.”
The half marathon will be his next step in making sure his father's name, alongside those of Grace and Barnaby, remains in the minds of the Nottingham community.