Fundraiser for GB runner who died at 28 hits £10k as Olympic heroes pay tribute
Josh Kerr and Beth Potter are among those to have left tributes on fundraising page set up by Robbie Fitzgibbon, the middle-distance runner who passed away earlier this week
by Alan Smith · The MirrorA fundraising page set up by Robbie Fitzgibbon, the former Great Britain middle distance star who died this week aged 28, has reached £10,000 with a number of Olympic heroes paying tribute.
Josh Kerr, the 1500m silver medallist from Paris, and triathlon star Beth Potter are among those to have reacted to the sad passing of Fitzgibbon as friends, family and athletics fans raise money for the charity Mind.
The former European finalist was planning to run next April’s Brighton marathon on behalf of the mental health charity having disclosed that he was diagnosed with psychosis in 2022 following a difficult time with injuries.
“Happy memories together, you touched so many lives and will be truly missed,” Kerr wrote, with Potter adding: “Rest in peace Robbie x.”
Fitzgibbon died on October 7, his club, Brighton Phoenix, announced on Friday night. He had been a standout at junior level and had a personal best of 3:36.97 over 1500m, run a four-minute flat mile and posted a 14:15 5k.
He appeared at the European Indoor Championships in Glasgow in 2019 before suffering a serious injury. He revealed earlier this year that he had been diagnosed with a serious mental illness, psychosis, in 2022, but he had begun training for next year's Brighton Marathon, raising money for charity Mind.
“It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of one of our most cherished athletes, Robbie Fitzgibbon,” read a statement from the Brighton Phoenix board written by club chair Mike Townley and vice chair Josh Guilmant.
“A friend to many, and a source of motivation for all who had the privilege of knowing him, Robbie was the epitome of a runner’s runner, embodying everything we value at Phoenix.
“Though Robbie will no longer run alongside us, share his stories or lift our spirits with his humour and kindness, his presence will continue to be felt in everything we do as a club. His contribution to Brighton Phoenix is enduring, living on through the countless memories we have shared.
“In recent years, Robbie took a step back from the intense nature of track running, moving from middle-distance to becoming a key member of our distance group, finding enjoyment again not just in racing cross country and road but being part of the team and wider Phoenix community.
Jake Wightman, the 2022 world champion, paid tribute on Instagram declaring: "Will always remember him as the young lad I met back in Kenya 2015, who always had a smile on his face. So so sad. RIP Gibbo."