THE FRIEND of a prominent boxer and athlete in Basingstoke who died of a brain tumour last week is honouring his legacy by fulfilling a challenge that he was "desperate to do, but couldn't."

Jeff Mitchell died last week aged 54, and his friend is determined to honour his legacy.

A prominent member of Basingstoke's boxing scene, Jeff spent 33 years of his life as a coach and a fighter, influencing the lives of many aspiring athletes in the town.

A tiler by trade, Jeff would coach amateur boxing four nights a week and later in life took up running ultramarathons with his friends from Hatch Warren Runners, completing gruelling challenges to raise money for charity.

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Elliott (middle) is taking on the challeneg for Jeff (left)Elliott (middle) is taking on the challenge for Jeff (left) (Image: Contributed)

Jeff was diagnosed with a 50mm Grade 4 Brain Tumour in June 2023 and passed away in St Michael's Hospice last week.

Having been flooded with tributes and messages about her son, Sue Mitchell, 77, Jeff's mother, told the Gazette that she didn't quite realise "just how many people cared about him."

She said: "I would say this, because he's my son, but he was so lovely and everything about him was too.

"Hatch Warren Runners did a tribute to him, they also did one at the park run and a special announcement at the half marathon this weekend - I didn't realise how popular he was - I didn't know the half of it.

"It's so lovely to know he was so well thought of."

Before he died, Jeff was determined to complete his 10th ultra buckle, running a route known as the 'Arc of Attrition', which is a point-to-point trail along Cornwall's coastal paths in winter conditions.

While he was unable to complete the challenge himself, Sue explained that he had already made arrangements to get this trail beaten.

She said: "He was desperate to do it, but couldn't. It was the one challenge that he never conquered.

"He started last year, but they had to stop him and he was taken to hospital.

"Before he died, Jeff told me he had given permission to his friend, Elliott, to take over and get him his 10th buckle."

Jeff had personally requested that his friend, Elliott Holt, take on the challenge on his behalf, to obtain that illusive 10th buckle in his honour.

Elliott and Jeff had previously completed a number of challenges, having raised £3,000 on a 100-mile race in 2017, which they split between St Michael's Hospice and the Fire Fighters Charity.

Before he died, Jeff had told Sue that he wanted to raise more money for the hospice, as he was grateful for the care they had given him.

Sue said: "Jeff wanted to do something to help the hospice, he was so grateful to them and he said to me 'you can't get much better than here', the staff were so nice."

Elliott was given special permission by organisers to take Jeff's place in the Arc of Attrition, and has since set up a fundraiser for his run, detailing the reasons for taking on the challenge.

He explained that it is more than a race for him, it is a "tribute" to a man who left an impact on the community.

He said: "It is a profound honour, and I will be running in Jeff’s name, determined to get him that 10th buckle.

"Jeff’s story is one of extraordinary dedication—to his community, to his friends, and to the dreams he pursued with every fibre of his being.

"His 33 years of service to the people of Basingstoke, his countless weekends devoted to ensuring others had the chance to compete, and his undying passion for ultra-running, even in the face of terminal illness, are testaments to the kind of man Jeff is. He embodies the very essence of resilience, heart, and community spirit.

"As I prepare for the 2025 Arc of Attrition, I will carry Jeff’s legacy with me.

"This is not just a race; it’s a tribute to a man who gave his all—to the sport, to the people he loved, and to the community that is better because of him.

"Together, we will get that 10th buckle. Together, we will cross that finish line. And together, we will honour the life of a man who has given so much to others."

At the time of writing, the fundraiser has accumulated £1,140 in donations, readers can donate by visiting https://www.justgiving.com/page/jeffs10thbuckle