Baz, Chris and Evan are running the Sunderland City 10K for If U Care, Share in memory of their close friend James.
Three friends are running the Sunderland City 10K on 11th May in memory of their close friend, James, who lost his life to suicide aged just 27. The group are raising money for local charity, If U Care, Share, a mental health charity providing support for suicidal individuals, as well as friends and families impacted by suicide.
The charity works across Northumberland, North and South Tyneside, Durham, Sunderland and Newcastle to support those struggling with their mental health, prevent suicides and support the loved ones of those who tragically take their own lives. Their core strategies of prevention, intervention, and support, work to challenge the stigma around mental health and provide services for vulnerable people. They also believe that education is key to change, offering workshops at primary and secondary level, and educational establishments to equip young people for the future, and training and workshops on mental health and suicide prevention to professionals.
Baz, Chris and Evan are fundraising for the charity in memory of their friend James, who took his own life unexpectedly in November 2024. “I’d known James since year 7 in school,” says Evan. “We clicked immediately, mostly due to our shared Christianity, but also through our love for sport, any sport at all. Through school we both played basketball, tennis, football, table tennis and badminton, and we were pretty much inseparable.” The pair grew up best friends, and were best man at each other’s weddings.
Left to right: James and his wife Rebekah, Evan and his wife Grace
“I’m hoping to increase my fitness again, but also build a community by running too,” says Evan, who is also welcoming his first child at the end of March. “Having a strong community and people to talk to is an absolutely vital part of having a healthy wellbeing and mental health.”
The three friends were inspired to take on the challenge in memory of James. “None of us would have taken it upon ourselves to get running on our own so this shows that getting into a community to run with people is a great way of starting, along with building relationships too.”
“People like Baz, Chris, and Evan, are the reason our charity is able to do what we do,” says a representative of If U Care, Share. “Without such incredible fundraising efforts, we simply wouldn’t be able to save lives, support communities, and prevent suicide in the North East.”
“As a charity, this is our very first time taking part in the Sunderland City Runs so we’re looking forward to cheering our incredible runners on every step of the way and welcoming them at the finish line with open arms.”
So far the three friends have raised £860 of their £2000 goal, all of which will support If U Care, Share in providing access to services for people affected by, or at risk of suicide. To read more about the charity’s important work in the area, visit their website now, and read Evan, Chris and Baz’s fundraising page here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/three-friends-run-the-sunderland-10k-for-if-u-care-share
