A beautician has set up a Facebook page encouraging people to finish the final stretch of a half-marathon in memory of a 29-year-old Great North Run competitor who died on Sunday.
Stephanie Cochrane, 32, from North Tyneside, has organised a run on Sunday to honour Sam Wealleans, of Newbiggin-by-the-Sea, Northumberland, who died after he fell ill around 11 miles into the half-marathon.
The 29-year-old was raising money on behalf of Mind, the mental health charity, in memory of his sister Carly and a close family friend.
The run will start at the junction between Larch Avenue and Prince Edward Road in South Shields, Tyne and Wear, and follows the final 2.1 miles of the Great North Run route which Mr Wealleans could not complete.
Ms Cochrane, who did not know Mr Wealleans, felt compelled to honour his life and support his family through their hardship, and has described the publics response to her page as incredibly overwhelming.
Great North Run undated handout photo of Sam Wealleans, 29, who died after falling ill while competing in Sundays Great North Run
Image of racers on Sundays Great North Run
A beautician has set up a Facebook page encouraging people to finish the final stretch of a half-marathon in memory of Sam, who died after falling ill during the Great North Run on Sunday
The event will continue raising money for Mind, which so far has raised almost £24,000, out-stripping his target of £350.
Writing on the fundraiser before the event, Sam said: Im running the Great North Run on Sunday the 8th of September 2024 for mental health charity Mind and also in memory of my sister Carly and family friend Matty Wall. Any donations would be greatly appreciated.
It continued: 1 in 4 people will experience a mental health problem of some kind each year in England.
If the money I raise helps just 1 person whos going through a difficult time and prevents them from taking their own life Ill be happy!
Ive spoken with a member of Sams family. Theyre extremely grateful for all the donations, she said.
When anyone takes part in the Great North Run, and particularly for charities and things like that, the last thing you expect is to obviously lose a loved one through it.
Its massively impacted, I think, the runners who ran past and witnessed what was going on. Its absolutely devastated everyone and even the wider community.
The beautician praised peoples generosity to Mr Wealleanss fundraiser and has since spoken to her local council and police for help with event logistics.
When I originally started the page it was because there had a been a few of us in the Great North Run group who decided we were going to do the remainder of the run in honour of Sam, she said.
Runners pass through Newcastle on their way to South Shields during the AJ Bell Great North Run on September 08, 2024 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England
The AJ Bell Great North Run is the worlds biggest half marathon, attracting 60,000 runners each year to its iconic 13.1 mile route from Newcastle to South Shields
I set it up so we werent commenting on the Great North Run page... and its just absolutely taken off from there.
Ive been in talks this afternoon with South Tyneside Council and Northumbria Police with the logistics of the event because its gained the level of exposure that it has.
She hopes the run will encourage people to continue donating to Mr Wealleanss cause.
The only message, really, is that my thoughts and prayers are with Sams entire family and friends, she said.
If anyone has any spare money, even just a couple of pounds, if they could donate to his page in his memory.
Sam Wealleans fundraiser on Wednesday had reached almost £24,000
He was doing the run for his sister. Any donation to that is now the aim to try and raise as much money for that as possible.
The Great North Run, from Newcastle to South Shields, South Tyneside, attracted 60,000 runners, the most in its history.
Organisers of the event said they were deeply saddened after hearing the news of Sam’s death.
A spokesperson for the Great Run Company said: All at the Great Run Company are deeply saddened by Sams passing.
We are continuing to support Sams close family during this incredibly difficult time, and our thoughts and sympathies are with all those who loved and knew him.