Charity run to remember tragic marathon competitor

Jordanna is running in memory of Sam (left), who collapsed at the 17th mile of the Brighton Marathon in 2013

Sam Harper Brighouse signed up to run the 2013 Brighton Marathon to fundraise for the charity Arms Around the Child, but he collapsed at the 17-mile mark and his life could not be saved.

Jordanna has decided to honour his memory five years on by running her first marathon on Sunday (April 15) and fundraising for the same charity Sam chose, Arms Around the Child.

To celebrate Sam’s life, Jack, who ran alongside Sam in the 2013 marathon, will be joining Jordanna from the 17-mile mark and running the final stretch of the marathon, where those close to Sam will be releasing balloons dedicated to his life.

Jordanna said: "If there’s one day I’d like his presence around me, it will be then. I think it’s a big boost for Sam’s family and his memory."

The idea to fundraise and run the marathon came to Jordanna in December following a music festival to remember Sam, hosting 500 people in 2014, and more recently Sam’s sister producing a documentary celebrating his life and the tragic event surrounding his death.

Jordanna wanted to do something more to remember her friend. She decided to email Ellie Milner, director of Arms Around the Child, to see if she could run on behalf of the charity and in Sam’s memory.

Since January 2018, she has been training for her first marathon event and has already raised more than £2,000.

You can support Jordanna in her fundraising efforts here.