Jamie's Marathon for The Good Grief Trust

Hi, my name's Jamie, and just over two years ago I tragically lost my best friend, Josh, in an accident in Budapest. Since then, I have struggled to come to terms with my grief as this was such a shocking and sudden loss that nothing could prepare me for it.

For those who were lucky to have met Josh, you would know he was the kindest, funniest, and most outrageously stubborn person to grace this earth. He never pretended to be anything he wasn't and therefore had a true sense of character, which he projected onto his friends and family. The care and love he showed to us was immeasurable and always pushed us to achieve the best we could in life. Whether it was music, tennis, cycling, cooking, or drinking, he pushed himself to be the best of his ability, and he always encouraged you to do the same in your life. The warmth and energy he brought to the room will never be matched and there will always be an empty chair in the corner of my eye where he should be sat.

Grief can leave you feeling so isolated, like your fighting this battle all alone, and you forget that the simplest solution is to reach out for help. I wish that earlier I had decided to use the services of charities such as The Good Grief Trust because their cause is so important in reminding the hundreds of thousands of us who suffer from grief every day that they are not alone. Bereavement support is out there, and it's paramount that those who need it, like myself, have access to it to avoid further suffering. The Good Grief Trust can provide that.

For this reason, I have decided that I will run the Edinburgh Marathon on the 29th of May to raise money for their cause, and most importantly to celebrate the memory of my best friend. I never dreamed that I would run a marathon, but I know Josh would have pushed me towards fulfilling my dream and I know he'll be running every step of the way alongside me on the day.

Any donation you can make would be greatly appreciated! :)