21 April 2024 , 18:12
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Natalie Pinkham has taken on the 26-mile run this Sunday, April 21, in the likes of multiple other celebs and paid tribute to her best friend Caroline Flack.
The Formula One reporter ran the London Marathon alongside Emmerdale actor Lawrence Robb, Made in Chelsea star Josh Patterson and Union J singer Josh Cuthbert for the Samaritans charity but, before she took off, she spoke about her friendship with the late Love Island host, dedicating her efforts to "keeping her legacy alive."
"Hopefully, she is proud of what we are all doing to keep her legacy alive", Natalie said, "she would probably have a bit of a laugh and think we were all mad", she told The Mirror. "But it is important to keep talking about her and to keep her memory alive. Do I feel her around me? Yeah. I think so."
Natalie Pinkham has paid tribute to Caroline Flack ahead of her London Marathon runIn another breath, the mum-of-two opened up about a mantra that has solidified her friendship with some other close pals of Caroline Flack, as the group struggle to forget the beloved TV star following her heart-breaking death in February, 2020. "We (Caroline's friends) have this mantra when we wonder what to do, we say, 'What would Flacky do?'", Natalie continued. "And I like to do the same. We all hope and believe that Caroline's spirit runs through the centre of everything we do."
Speaking about this Sunday's run to another publication, Natalie made it clear she was facing one of her biggest challenges. "It’s so outside my comfort zone but the battle of the mind is something that intrigues me", she said, continuing: "It was put to me by Samaritans that the marathon represents everything they’re about. When someone is at their lowest point, people rally to support them and carry them through. It makes me emotional thinking about it!"
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Caroline Flack was found dead in her Newington flat on February 15, 2020, at the young age of 40. An inquest into her death was opened a handful of days later while her grieving loved ones organised a private funeral, which eventually took place in Greenacres Memorial Park at Colney, near Norwich, the following month.
At the time, the lawyer acting for Caroline's family ruled her death as a suicide with the inquest being adjourned until August 5. The coroner agreed that the presenter had taken her own life the following day. Since then, Natalie and the rest of Caroline's close circle have gone above and beyond to honour her.
Natalie is notably one of the organisers of the annual Flacstock Festival, created in memory of Caroline to celebrate her life and raise funds for mental health charities. She has been working closely with Caroline's mother Christine and sister Jody since the event's creation in 2022.
This year's edition of the Flackstock Festival will take place on July 22, 2024, on the ground of the Englefield Estate in Berkshire and several familiar faces in the likes of Olly Murs, Joe Wicks, Gok Wan and Rebecca Ferguson, among others, have agreed to take part. Previous stars to show up to the event include Natalie Imbruglia, Fleur East, Ronan Keating, Pixie Lott and Joel Dommett.
*If you're struggling and need to talk, the Samaritans operate a free helpline open 24/7 on 116 123. Alternatively, you can email jo@samaritans.org or visit their site to find your local branch