Robbie Bruce of Nashville, Tenn., saw an article about the way the Newtown Youth Academy (NYA) opened its doors to students and families following 12/14.

Like many people from across the country, he wanted to send his support to Newtown, and specifically to NYA. He started the 26.4.26 Foundation as a fundraiser.

“We’re all runners,” he said Saturday, January 19, when he personally delivered a check for $30,000 to NYA Founder Peter D’Amico.

Mr Bruce had proposed a 26-mile race that could be run by relay teams and individuals. Each team or runner raised funds through sponsors for every mile completed. To the runners and friends who had participated in the late December run he had issued a challenge: “I said I would deliver the check to Newtown myself if we raised $15,000.”

The results doubled his goal.

In the future the 26.4.26 Foundation will support school safety, prevention, and awareness, Mr Bruce said. Already, he and friends have runs slated for other cities, and all money raised will go to 26.4.26.

With Mr Bruce to deliver the check and visit town for a few days were Jamie Irwin, Kelly Hanndegard, Ryan Graney, Erin Stryker, Tom Courtney, Season Kaminski, and Ellie Hill.