During lockdown me and my brother Jake would go for runs around where we live to get out of the house and just spend time together. I am 4 years older than Jake but he is one of my favourite people. He could make you laugh, give you the biggest hugs and is a fierce protector even though he is the baby brother in my life.

Those times were so precious to me, we were both growing up, no longer bickering and we became closer than ever. With our mum being a NICU nurse me, Jake and and our baby sister Jess got so close. Jake and Jess were already my everything but during lockdown those special moments became my lifeline.

For those months me and Jake would go for a run, laugh the whole time and truly get to know each other. After I moved out shortly after lockdown we didn’t get those moments together again. We still spent time together when we could and we would always reminisce about those times.

In May last year Jake died in a car crash, as a passenger. At 19 years old. I lost my baby brother, my mum lost her only son. My sister lost her bestfriend. Many people both in our family and the many people he had met and loved lost someone who truly was special. And so that night changed the rest of our lives by taking the life of our Jake.

Fast forward a couple of months, someone suggested running to help me set up a routine. The first couple of runs were hard, I struggled with the memories of running with Jake and processing the fact that he is not here with us anymore. I jokingly said to my mum I might run the Plymouth half marathon next year (since lockdown I have done zero exercise, so many would laugh when I would say this). When I told mum this, Jake’s candle that we light to remember him, suddenly blew out. In that moment the decision had been made. Looks like I was running the half marathon!

My mum and my auntie then decided they would do it with me, this will be the biggest challenge I have ever done. But nothing compares to the challenge of going about each day without my baby brother.

So my reason for running this half marathon is to honour my memories of Jake, to raise money for an incredible charity called Brake who have supported me and my family through the trauma of losing Jake so suddenly, and to make everyone laugh at the fact I am doing actual exercise! I just know Jake would be right there, laughing along as well as pushing me more. He was my biggest supporter, my biggest protector, my biggest motivator.

Brake is a national road safety charity that cares for people bereaved and injured in road crashes and campagns for safer roads for all. Every day, five people die on UK roads and many more are seriously injured. When the worst happens, Brake is here to help. Go to www.brake.org.uk to find out more and support our vital work.