I will be running the Manchester Marathon on the 27th of April 2025 in memory of Sam Little, who very sadly died in 2022 after suffering an Aortic Dissection.

Sam positively touched the lives of many and continues to do so. He was a son, a brother, a friend to many and also fiancé to my cousin, Charlotte. Sam was creative, funny, spontaneous and kind. As well as being a super talented architect and artist, Sam was a passionate musician and avid lover of sport - he loved cricket and was a huge Newcastle United fan! He achieved a huge amount in his unfortunately short life. Everyone who had the pleasure of meeting and knowing Sam misses him everyday.

Since his passing, his friends and family, alongside the Aortic Dissection Trust, have been putting effort toward helping fast forward the diagnosis of Aortic Dissection and hence increasing likelihood of survival in people across the UK & Ireland.

2000 people per year lose their lives from aortic dissection in the UK. "The Aortic Dissection Charitable Trust" is a UK and Ireland charity uniting patients, families and the medical community in a shared goal of improving diagnosis, increasing survival and reducing disability due to aortic dissection. Sam was born in Manchester so it will be extra special to run in a city that meant a lot to him.