Crowds turn out to finish Great North Run in moving tribute to Sam Wealleans


A moving tribute run to Sam Wealleans whose tragic death touched the hearts of people throughout the region and beyond saw a huge turnout on South Shields sea front this Sunday.

Hundreds of people, of all ages and including some of Sam's family and friends, gathered to honour the 29-year-old who died a week ago after taking part in the Great North Run. On a dry, mild morning, crowds turned up to complete the half-marathon route in his name, covering the final 2.1-mile distance he did not manage when he collapsed during his bid to raise money for mental health charity Mind.

And Run for Sam proved emotional for many, with organiser Stephanie Cochrane saying ahead of the start: "I just hope that we do him proud." Sam, from Newbiggin-by-the-Sea, had been running in memory of his sister and a family friend when the tragedy happened.

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It was Stephanie, a fellow runner in last Sunday's half-marathon, who came up the idea of paying tribute to him by completing his remaining section of the the 13.1 mile route and helping to further boost his fundraising page which to date has raised more than £28,000 for the charity for which he had set himself a £350 target.

More than 2,100 donations now have been made, while a separate fundraiser to support his 'adored' young daughter also smashed its £2,500 target - raising over £11,500 by Sunday when it also became the focus of Run for Sam. Supporters had been quick to back Stephanie's plan for the run which almost didn't come off due to health and safety concerns, with South Tyneside Council being unable to close public roads and Northumbria Police unable to support an unofficial event.

Hundreds of runners of all ages completed Run for Sam on Sunday
Hundreds of runners of all ages completed Run for Sam on Sunday -Credit:Iain Buist/Newcastle Chronicle

But her idea - which by then had seen more 2,222 people join her Run for Sam Facebook page, many of them committing to run alongside her - was back on track when the National Trust gave permission to use its land. And it was at its Souter Lighthouse car park that many of Sunday's runners set off at 11.29am to complete the final two miles for Sam: the time chosen as Sam collapsed at the 11th mile of the Great North Run and 29 was his age when he died in hospital that same day.

Stephanie, 32, from North Shields, said the number of people who turned up was "amazing" and she was feeling "very overwhelmed" at the turn-out. While she had not known Sam she was affected by his reason for running, saying: "It's touched the hearts of every single person". She added: "I hope we do him proud."

Sam Wealleans, whose photograph appeared on many of the runners' tops
Sam Wealleans, whose photograph appeared on many of the runners' tops -Credit:PA

And it was a hugely moving sight to see so many join in the occasion, running the coastal route pathways, some with children, some bringing their dogs, and many wearing tops which bore the photo of Sam's face and the Mind charity's logo. Other runners had decided to stick to the originally-planned road route then converged with the others at the Great North Run's traditional finish line, to the sound of Local Hero playing and supporters cheering them on.

Sam was uppermost in people's thoughts and at the finish line - the scene of thousands of happy runners just a week before - there were some raw emotions but also a feeling of paying respect. There were members of Sam's family and friends taking part and others waiting among those at the finish line holding Run for Sam banners.

Runners Hayley Ahmed, left, and her sister-in-law Abbey Tyrrel-Scott
Runners Hayley Ahmed, left, and her sister-in-law Abbey Tyrrel-Scott -Credit:Iain Buist/Newcastle Chronicle

Among the volunteers on the day was Stephanie's auntie Janet Walker, from Whitley Bay, who was helping with the banners and said: "I think it's going to be an emotional day." By the end, Stephanie was "over the moon" at how it had gone.

The atmosphere on the day felt all-inclusive as an estimated 1,000 people in all mingled, some hugging others, and blue balloons were released in Sam's honour then a two-minute silence was held.

Among those who joined the run were sisters-in-law Hayley Ahmed and Abbey Tyrrell-Scott from South Shields. Hayley, 43, said she had done the Great North Run herself on the day and added: "It wasn't long until I heard about the tragedy so when I saw the Facebook post about a tribute and a run in his honour I thought it was the right thing to do."

She also had been affected by his wanting to run for an "amazing charity" in honour of his sister and a friend. Abbey, 32, added that hearing of Sam's family and daughter has affected many people and they wanted to raise money to help.

Hayley, who said she had begun to "tear up" thinking about it during the run, said: "I didn't know him but I feel that pain for them."

Crowds at the finish line for Run for Sam
Crowds at the finish line for Run for Sam -Credit:Iain Buist/Newcastle Chronicle

Another runner, Nicola Davis, who was among around 100 people choosing to start the 2.1 miles on the original route, had also taken part in the Great North Run and had passed Sam after his collapse.

"It's really upset me. I wanted to run this for him." She added: "I think it just shows how the running community is, to come together to do something like this."

Some supporters who had been unable to take part on Sunday posted on the Run for Sam Facebook page that they had completed their own 2.1-mile route in his honour. There are also hopes to do more in Sam's name and in a further fitting tribute both his fundraiser page and donations to help support his daughter were still increasing throughout Sunday.

Approaching the finish line at Run for Sam
Approaching the finish line at Run for Sam -Credit:Iain Buist/Newcastle Chronicle

A friend of Sam's praised the "amazing" event, telling the crowd: "On behalf of Sam's family and friends, thank you very, very much." Stephanie has been in touch with Sam's family members throughout and said: "Given what they are going through at this time, they've been absolutely amazing and I'm so grateful to them."

Sam's parents Paul and Paula Wealleans released a statement ahead of the run, describing their devastation at the loss of their son and thanking people for the outpouring of support. They said: "We are devastated and heartbroken following the sudden and unexpected death of our beloved son, Sam.

"We have been overwhelmed by the thousands of kind messages and charitable donations from people across the country and would like to sincerely thank everyone for their support and sympathy. Our family have taken great comfort in knowing he was loved by all who knew him."

They added: "Continued respect of our privacy at this most sad and difficult time is much appreciated."