Allister was known to the Harriers over the past 7 or 8 years - initially coming tothe Street series with his talented students from Downside School and then more latterly as a Harrier member bringing a squad across to the Tuesday training sessions at Millfield track.

Allister has been a strong supporter of athletics and cross-country running in particular and he started coming to the Street Series races several years ago, initially with fellow teacher and Harrier Laurie Phippard to encourage the Downside youngsters with their running. He was extremely supportive of his pupils efforts, and gave up many hours to bring them to Street, occassionally racing himself.

In more recent years he also started to find time to bring a small group to the Tuesday evening training sessions and sometimes to support students with their GCSEs/A level studies would also bring students to help the Harriers on a Monday evening. In the last two years he has also helped the Somerset Schools Athletic Association by taking on a role as a team manager going with teams to regional and national competitions.

At his memorial service we were able to discover there was so much more to him than what we knew, and that what we saw on a Tuesday or at the Street races was but a small part and a recent manifestation of his innate character which was of someone who was prepared to go the extra mile in a selfless way, always with a smile and a gentle word.

Our thoughts are with his relatives, colleagues and pupils at this sad time, and we will miss him.