In the early hours of Sunday 21st November 2021, my best friend Sam Johnson was involved in a road traffic incident. Sam received incredible care by both the ambulance service and staff at the RVI intensive care unit in which they fought to save his life. Tragically, Sams injuries were too severe and he passed away surrounded by his close family.

Sam was and always will be an incredible man, a larger than life character and most importantly to me the best person I’ve ever had the privilege to call my friend. Losing him was the single worst thing that has ever happened in my own life and I will always work tirelessly to keep his name and memory at the forefront of people’s minds.

Since his passing, Sams family and friends, have raised a total of over £41k for charities such as Newcastle Hospitals Charity, Mind, CALM, Samaritans and If U Care Share Foundation. This money raised will help hundreds and even thousands of people across the country gain the support they want and need at their most desperate times. It will also ensure those families and friends who are going through the same pain that we continue to experience each day have the support they need to guide them through the dark days.

With all this in mind, I wanted to do something bigger in Sams name in 2024 to try and help as many families as possible. That’s why this year me and a few friends along the way will be completing 6 half marathons. This includes 5 half marathons which are Great Birmingham Run, Great Bristol Run, Great Manchester Run, Great North Run, Great Scottish Run and also includes Great South Run which is 10 miles (I will be completing an extra 3.1 miles to make it the half marathon). Sam's best mates Ross Palmer, James Lone and Tom Coyne will also be completing the Great North Run as part of Run for Sam using this page.

All proceeds will be shared between three amazing organisations:

• North East Ambulance service who worked incredibly hard to save Sams life within minutes of the accident.

• RVI (Newcastle hospitals Charity) who again worked tirelessly to save sams life and provided incredible care in the hours after the incident and in Sams final moments.

• If U Care Share who provided support to some of Sams family in the months and years after Sam passed away.

I knew Sam for around 20 years and he was always one of the most driven and determined people I’ve ever met. He would succeed in anything he wanted to do no matter how difficult. I hope to channel some of Sams grit and determination through these challenges and I know he will there with me throughout.

Thanks for reading and I hope you can contribute to helping those that truly need it the most, whether that be through a donation or sharing on your social media.