Johnny & I grew up together, we lived in the next street from each other & spent every waking moment together as kids which made us the closest of best friends! We went to primary school together and were in a lot of the same classes where we sat together, but when the 11+ exams came about, Johnny was smarter than I was and we got seperated when he went to Bangor Grammar & I went to Gransha boys high! I remember being gutted that we were being split but luckily our friendship remained! In Johnny's first year of secondary school he took a knock to the jaw which prompted a trip to the doctor where they discovered a tumor in his jaw bone! At only 11 years old Johnny fought a good fight and underwent surgery to remove the tumor, with no other signs of it spreading he went into remission and carried on with his life and his self-named "sharkbite" of a scar on his throat! For anybody that knew him during this time he was a fun, loving, caring, funny, amazing guy who devoted his life to his friends, family, school work & subsequently work! I can only imagine how it must change a person if they're faced with their life in their hands at such a young age, imagine how different the world would look, how much more would you live, love & laugh? Johnny done all that & more! When we were 21 we decided to move to Belfast in our own place, once a month (on pay day) we bought new shirts, got our hair cut & went partying in town! The rest of the month we were flat broke but we lived & laughed every single day! Within 2 years Johnnys cancer was back, he was taken into hospital & didn't come home! On 27th April 2003 I lost my best friend but gained an understanding of how life should be lived, happily, positively, lovingly, being appreciative of everything & everyONE & simply enjoying every moment 'cos you just don't know when it'll end! This year sees the 10 year anniversary of Johnnys passing & in his memory we are running the Belfast City Marathon relay event for the Northern Ireland Cancer Fund for Children, this has been chosen by Johnnys Mum, Florence who also lost her husband to Cancer soon after losing her son! It's a charity that's close to her heart & i'm hoping to raise as much as possible in the name of my best mate, Johnny Blair!