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I am running the Bupa Great Manchester 10K Run on the 18th May 2014 in memory of Josh Merrick to raise money for C.R.Y. 

As many of you may know, last year one of my best friends Josh Merrick, passed away suddenly in his sleep at the age of 19 years old. This news shocked a whole community, as all were asking "how could a young man, who is so fit, pass away suddenly?". Remembering Josh was the only way to attempt to come to terms with the devastating loss many of us had suffered.

Our sixteen year friendship began in nursery at the age of three. The nursery we were both in had just been given a new bike for the kids to play on. It was red, shiny, had two seats and basically...was far better than any other bike there. I remember a fair few of the kids were shuffling towards the door as the clock was counting down to breaktime, and when the bell rang, we all ran for the bike. Josh and I got to it and we began pulling at the bike until he let go and said we could share the bike as it had two seats, taking turns each day to sit on the front. He then told me, that I could sit on the front on the first day, he didnt mind. Josh remained this sort of person his whole life, and we remained friends for the rest of his life. 

I got to witness the positive effect that Josh had on all types of people, he was always making people laugh and pushing them to achieve. Josh really did enjoy life to the fullest, telling others to "just chill man" whilst sipping on a bottle of Prosseco was his polite way of saying, "sit down and have a drink". Josh would do anything for someone if he believed they needed his help, he was a great giver of his own hard-earned money. I remember when about twenty of us went to a meal before his last christmas (2012), at the end of the night the bill amounted to over £200. Whilst only a few of us gave him our contribution to the bill, he decided to pay the rest of the bill for around £170. When I called him an idiot for doing so, he told me "nah its alright, look everyone is having a good time, don't worry about it, its christmas man". 

Josh would do anything for his family and friends, which is why I have to raise money for C.R.Y's mission. C.R.Y (Cardiac Risk in the Young) focus their work on raising awareness of conditions that can lead to young sudden cardiac death (YSCD); sudden death syndrom (SDS):SADS. At least 12 apparently fit and healthy young people aged 35 and under die each week in the UK from undiagnosed heart conditions. C.R.Y desperately require fund raising in order to continue to spread awareness and pressure the authorities into screening young adults to help prevent such devastating tragedies.

Help me to help C.R.Y raise awareness for their great mission, any donation is massively appreciated. 

For more information on C.R.Y please follow this link to their page

http://www.c-r-y.org.uk