TALAN’S Trust, a cause remembering Bude boy Talan Penny, has recently gained charitable status.

Talan’s Trust, formerly Talan’s Journey, was set up after a young man from Bude, Talan Penny, passed away earlier in the year, aged just 19, after living with rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare form of cancer. Talan’s Journey raised money to ease financial expenses on the family during Talan’s treatment, and also helped him do some exciting things that he had always wanted to do, including a trip to Amsterdam.

After Talan passed away, the team behind Talan’s Journey — including his mother, Sarah, sister, Tegan, and close friends — decided to rename the cause to Talan’s Trust, and applied for charity status in August. Talan’s Trust has so far been raising money for the Chris Lucas Trust, which funds research into rhabdomyosarcoma. In November, the Trust held the #TAL19 event, which saw many people in Bude gather at Crooklets beach to run a 19km run in memory of their friend Talan and to raise money for the Chris Lucas Trust.

However, this December, it was announced that Talan’s Trust had gained charitable status.

Talan’s mum, Sarah, told the Post: “We applied for charity status back in August. It is a long process for all the right reasons; there have been several emails backward and forward. Emma Bartrop, my right-hand woman, has had the onerous task of sorting it all out, with the help of the Lucas family from the Chris Lucas Trust, who were invaluable with their help.

“We are still on a high from the run and all the wonderful and positive comments we received afterward. But time waits for no man, as they say, so the committee got together to have a debrief the week after the race to discuss what worked, what didn’t and what, if anything, we should change.”

The committee also discussed plans for 2018, with an event set to take place on May 19, which will be announced in the new year. For one year only, and to celebrate Talan’s 21st birthday in 2018, the #TAL21 race will take place — essentially a half marathon.

Sarah added: “We are thrilled to finally be a bona fide charity, but of course this comes with its own responsibilities. But I am confident in the committee and their commitment to Talan’s Trust.

“I’d like to take this opportunity to say a massive thank you to them all for being such amazing people, so supportive and full of great ideas — and eating copious amounts of cake at every meeting!”

For further information about Talan’s Trust and to keep up with fundraising events, search Talan’s Trust on Facebook.