Arnold Pickup
25 July 1931 – 14 May 2018
BLESMA SUPPORTER ARNOLD PICKUP HAS PASSED AWAY at the age of 86. Arnold spent more than 25 years tirelessly raising money for Blesma and other causes close to his heart by completing 434 running races, including more than 50 marathons, 112 half marathons and countless 5k and 10k runs. Arnold only started to run long distances when he turned 53 years of age, and is reported to have raised more than £20,000 for his chosen causes. Rather impressively, he ran his final race, the York 10k, in 2014, at the age of 83!
The fundraising veteran, who served in the Merchant Navy from 1948 to 1953, also worked as a Blesma Welfare Officer in Huddersfield and was heavily involved in the Huddersfield Branch from 1994 until its closure in October 2006. After the Branch closed, he still supported Members in the area, arranging an informal monthly lunch for anyone who wanted to attend.
To mark his dedication to the Association, Arnold became an Honorary Blesma Member and remained active within the Association to such an extent that, in 2010, he won the Service to Charity award at the Huddersfield Examiner Awards.
Arnold passed away on Monday 14 May after a long illness. His funeral was held on 07 June 2018.