Kirsten O'Brien is to run a charity event in honour of her friend and TV colleague Mark Speight, who committed suicide. Mark Speight, 42, hanged himself in April 2008 after vanishing for several days. The pair worked together on the popular BBC SMart art show and now Kirsten will raise money in his name by completing a 10k Miles for Missing People charity run on Saturday. She said: "I have had a very personal experience of 'missing' and it is one of the hardest things I have ever gone through. "I am delighted to be running Miles for Missing People and will be doing so to remember Mark and help bring resolution to all those currently missing. "The charity brings so much happiness into the lives of the people it reunites, and this is a great opportunity to make a real difference." The 6.2 mile (10K) race in London's Regent's Park will bring together up to 1,000 people to raise money and awareness for the charity Missing People. Those taking part will also include Peter Lawrence, father of the missing York chef Claudia Lawrence, who vanished in March 2009, and Rachel Elias, sister of rock star Richey Edwards, rhythm guitarist and co-lyricist in the Manic Street Preachers. He vanished in February 1995 when he was just 27. Last year's inaugural Miles for Missing People raised more than £50,000 with more than 400 participants. This year's event was timed as a warm-up run for anyone planning to take part in the Virgin London Marathon on April 17.
