Wigan man set to run London Marathon in memory of younger brother

Sam Robinson, from Standish Lower Ground, will take on the gruelling event in April in tribute to his sibling George, who was only 26 when he died in December 2018 after fighting a collitis-related illness.

For seven years the talented young rugby player lived with the “isolating” side effects of the disease, undergoing 12 gruelling operations during that time.

Four months after his death, his older brother Sam, 30, raised awareness of the mental health issues surrounding the disease by raising money for the UK’s leading Crohn’s and Colitis charity, by climbing Helvellyn, one of Britain’s most imposing mountains.

And now he has his sights set on another daunting task - running his first ever marathon in April.

“To run the London Marathon in my brother’s honour will mean an awful lot to me and I’m sure will be a highly emotional experience on the day both physically and mentally” said Sam.

“I’ve never run a marathon before in my life, so being 12 weeks away I better be doing, or as George would say ‘You’ve no chance you lad’.”

“I can never explain what George went through with his Ulcerative Colitis, it would certainly reduce anybody to tears, it was truly cruel and awful what my brother suffered.

“There are many other families going through similar situations, and helping them in any way I can means the world to me and my family, particularly by way of mental health support for those suffering.

“George and myself competed in annual beach races every single year of our holidays growing up. George was quick out of the blocks but I think he only won twice. Me or my dad in our early years would pip him at the finish, resulting in an almighty scrap year on year.

“I won’t promise to win this one George but I will promise to put everything I’ve got into getting around there with your name on my back and your memories, guts and bravery in my mind and heart.”

Since his tragic and untimely passing, friends and family alike have remembered the shy, studious yet funny and quick-witted young man, who was loved and adored in equal measure by all who knew him.

His reserved side, which earned him the name “Classy George” was reflected in the way he bravely fought his debilitating illness, with others rarely being made aware of the constant battles he was facing both physically and mentally.

To donate and for more information visit justgiving.com/fundraising/forgeorge33