On the 1st of June 2008, I lost my three best friends and almost a fourth, all aged 18, in a fatal car crash. One single moment cost them their lives. As the car travelled at speed, control of it for a split second was lost, and the car collided with a tree.  Three of the five died on impact and two miraculously survived it, but only one made it to hospital in time.

I was spoiled to have had the best friends I could have possibly asked for: they were kind, smart, funny and caring and had genuine prospects for decent lives and careers, and yet they had their lives ripped away and left mine torn apart. James Bowyer was born on the 12th of November 1989. I first met him in 1993 at play school in a small village called Marsh Gibbon, not far from Oxford. After watching him get sand thrown in his face, I intervened and we became best friends and continued to be until he died. We grew up like brothers, always in the same class, always in the same trouble! We shared a lot of amazing times together and thankfully not too many that seem sad in comparison to what his family have experienced.
Every year since his passing I have organised a fundraising football match, normally held in August in the very same village we grew up in. Each year his former under 16s team get back together and play a game against a team of friends and family, which I captain. As he was an Arsenal fan, the team is aptly named James' Gunners.
Every year I've managed to make it bigger, better, and to raise more money for various causes close to our hearts, as of last year, we've given the money to the road safety charity, Brake, raising almost £6000 at our last event.
Brake is an amazing charity, constantly looking for ways to improve road safety and the awareness and importance of it. They are recognised all over the UK and even offer a helpline for people who've experienced tragedy as I have.

Thank you for taking the time to read this.