A DETERMINED sister will take part in a 10-mile race in memory of her sibling.

Melody Kness is gearing up for the Great South Run in Portsmouth on Sunday, October 23.

She has chosen to run on behalf of Adfam, a national charity working to improve life for families affected by drugs and alcohol.

Her brother, Adam, died two years ago of a drugs-related death.

As previously reported by the Advertiser, police and the coroner failed to inform Tracy and Bob Kness, of Valencia Way, and their family that their son Adam Kness’ body had been found in a flat in Meg Thatchers Green, Bristol on December 17 2014.

His partner Phae Hawksworth called them two weeks later – on New Year’s Eve – after the man whose flat he died in retained his phone and rang her.

It was only because of the Christmas backlog that his body had not been cremated.

At Flax Bourton Coroner’s Court inquest, held last year, it was heard that several drugs were found in the 33-year-old’s system which on their own were not lethal, but the combination was.

Miss Kness said she was the last person to visit her brother in Bristol where they had a coffee together.

The 21-year-old, who lives with her parents on Valencia Way, said that she chose Adfam as it focuses on the families affected by drugs.

She said: “I enjoy running, I do it quite a lot and it’s a way I can do it my own way.

“Before I didn’t find a charity that I wanted to help.

“Unless [addicts] want help they’ll never get it so it’s better to support the families that go through it.”

Miss Kness said her brother had mental health issues and hopes her run will raise awareness of drugs related mental health issues and that drugs affect the families of addicts as well.

Although a keen runner, Miss Kness said she has only taken part in fun runs in the past but still hopes to raise £500.

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