THE funeral of a Sully man who collapsed near the finish line of the recent Royal Parks Half Marathon in London took place on Friday, 28th November at Llandaff Cathedral, Cardiff.
Kory Russell, 25, from Sully, was fit and healthy and had been following a regular training schedule for the half marathon.
The funeral service was live-streamed for friends and family from countries including Australia, Canada, Greece, Singapore and South America.
The Service featured performances from soprano and friend Manon Ogwen Parry and Pendyrus Male Voice Choir, Ysgol Gymraeg Bro Morgannwg school choir, and a bilingual poem written in memory of Kory by the author, poet and school friend Brennig Davies. Specially recorded songs and messages by Paddington The Musical stars James Hameed and Tom Fletcher, and Welsh singer and West End theatre actor Lucie Jones were also played.
Kory had been living and working in London since graduating with a first class honours degree in Economics and Finance from Loughborough University in 2022. He was employed by the US Financial Services Company, State Street in the SSIM cash business.
His father Matt Russell, who had been in London for the half marathon, said: “As a family we are devastated at losing Kory, especially in such sudden and unexpected circumstances. Our loss is immeasurable.
“We are so proud of him and his achievements and know that he would have gone on to accomplish so much more. He had the kindest of hearts and was thoughtful, caring and compassionate. He was a hero to us all, but especially to his sisters, Seren and Mabli, brother Iosi and girlfriend, Lauren. He’ll remain in our hearts forever.
“In a work environment Kory was driven and hard-working. He’d excelled at school and, as a Welsh speaker, was fiercely proud of his Welsh roots. He was a Cardiff Swimming Club Dragon and had swum competitively for the County and for Loughborough University. He would be up at 5am most weekdays in order to train in the pool prior to the start of his school/university day.
“He was also a talented chef and, as a teenager, worked for Michelin-starred Chef James Sommerin in Penarth. He became the King of the Soufflés. Whatever he did, Kory did with pride, commitment and style.”
Mum Rhi Russell added: “Kory’s funeral was a true celebration of his life, with representatives from all the schools, clubs and societies that he’d been a part of. There were friends from Cylch Meithrin and Ysgol y Castell in Caerphilly, Ysgol Pen y Garth in Penarth, Ysgol Gymraeg Bro Morgannwg in Barry and Loughborough University, together with individuals from Cogan Coronation AFC, City of Cardiff Swimming Club and present and former employers. We are thankful to them all for the joy and opportunities they gave Kory in his formative years and helped make him the best of individuals.”
The Russell family thanked the team at Royal Parks Half and especially the medical staff for their efforts to save their son’s life.
Matt Russell added: “I’m so glad that we were at the race supporting Kory, along with his girlfriend and friends. We witnessed first-hand the medical expertise of the paramedics and doctors and know that they did everything they could for Kory.”
Donations to charity can be made in memory of Kory at SADS UK, Ty Hafan Hospice Sully, Cube Centre (Barry). Bigmoose, Meningitis Research Foundation (UK), Royal British Legion and Richard House (London’s First Children’s Hospice).
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