Just over a year ago, we lost a friend to suicide. A husband to an amazing wife, a father to two beautiful children, and someone whose loss rocked our entire village.

Gareth was genuinely one of the most fun loving, happy, smiley people I’ve ever had the honour of meeting. I only knew him for a relatively short time, but that was all it took to see the impact he had on everyone around him. He had an infectious personality, a love for life and a way of making people feel welcome.

Me, Gareth and Andrew shared a dream. We wanted to buy a football ground together. Somewhere we could bring all the best local talent to play football, where our kids could run around freely, and where parents and families could come together and feel at home.

We even started scouting locations. Whether we were at home, away skiing or on holiday in Thailand, the conversations never stopped. What started as a bit of a laugh was slowly turning into something we genuinely believed we could make happen.

We were going to call it “The Club.”

That was Gareth’s idea. Nothing complicated, nothing fancy. Just The Club. A place where everyone was welcome, where football brought people together, where friendships were made and where you could enjoy a good laugh and a night out.

That was Gareth all over. Bringing people together.

Sadly, the three of us never got to make it happen. And now Gareth isn’t here to see that dream through.

It’s something I still think about.

Losing someone to suicide leaves a hole in so many people’s lives. His wife, his children, his family, his friends and an entire community who loved him. I know that’s something Gareth would never have wanted.

And that’s what makes it so heartbreaking. Someone who brought so much happiness to others was clearly carrying something that many of us couldn’t see.

So this November, I’ll be running 60 miles in Gareth’s memory, raising money for Samaritans and awareness of suicide prevention.

The challenge represents the 60 men reported to lose their lives to suicide every hour worldwide.

Every mile will be for Gareth, his family and every person who has lost someone, or is silently fighting a battle that the rest of us know nothing about.

If you can donate, no matter how small, I’d be incredibly grateful. And if you can’t, simply sharing this message or checking in on someone could make more of a difference than you realise.

Check in on your mates.

Not just the quiet ones. Not just the ones who seem to be struggling. Check in on the loud ones, the funny ones, the ones who are always smiling and making everyone else laugh.

Because sometimes the people who bring the most happiness to others are the ones who need someone to ask if they’re really OK.

For Gareth. For his family. For every life that matters.

60 miles. One month. One very important cause.