Son of Nottingham Attack victim set to run in Robin Hood Half Marathon
Darren Coates is raising money for the school where his dad, Ian, worked as a caretaker before he was killed alongside two students in June 2023
The son of a man killed in the Nottingham attacks is taking on a huge challenge today in his dad’s memory.
Darren Coates will be taking on Nottinghamshire's infamous Robin Hood Half Marathon to raise money for the school where his Dad, Ian, worked as a Caretaker.
Ian, 65, was killed in the Nottingham attacks in June 2023, alongside students Barnaby Webber and Grace O’Malley-Kumar.
Ian Coates worked as a Caretaker at Huntingdon Academy for seven years. He was just months away from retirement when he was killed.
Darren is hoping to raise £50,000 for the school, with Nottingham City Council agreeing to match the fundraising once it reaches £25,000.
For Darren, the run is about doing something positive in his dad’s memory, while also raising money for a place that meant so much to him.
He said
"This school in Huntingdon... he was such a valued part of it."
Huntingdon Academy have a memorial garden for Ian, which includes a bench and flowers.
Darren has told us the impact of losing his dad is something he continues to live with every day, but taking on the challenge is helping him work through that trauma.
He continued:
"Mentally I still haven't got any help, but with doing this challenge, I physically feel much better."
The Nottingham attacks took place on 13 June 2023.
Triple-killer Valdo Calocane murdered Ian Coates, Barnaby Webber and Grace O'Malley Kumar, who were both 19, before attemtping to kill three other people.
Calocane was given an indefinite hospital order after pleading guilty to three counts of manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility and three counts of attempted murder.
The Nottingham Inquiry later examined what happened before and after the attacks, hearing evidence from 164 witnesses and identifying failings across several organisations, including the NHS and police.
But today, Darren’s focus is on something much more personal.
As he takes on the Robin Hood Half Marathon, he’ll be running for his dad - and to honour the memory of Ian, Barnaby and Grace.