A MAN from Salisbury is running the Manchester Marathon in memory of his mother who unexpectedly died.

Postman Adam Abel, 24 unexpectedly lost his mother, 48-year-old Becky Abel, to a brain aneurysm in June 2022.

While out on a walk, Becky suddenly rang Adam and his father, Chris Abel, as she knew something was wrong.

Salisbury Journal:

SEE ALSO: Mother shares story of baby who was born inside out

Adam and his father rushed to meet Becky, where she subsequently collapsed in Adam’s arms, leaving Adam to quickly administer emergency CPR while waiting for the ambulance to arrive.

After being admitted to hospital, a CT scan revealed that Becky had suffered an irreversible brain aneurysm. She died three days later, just one day after Adam’s 23rd birthday.

Since then, Adam has embarked on what he calls a “journey of self-discovery” - a key part of which will be participating in the Adidas Manchester Marathon on Sunday, April 14.

Adam said: "After Mum died, I found myself having to deal with a level of trauma that I’d never experienced before. It’s certainly been a long, difficult journey, but now I’ve set my sights on doing whatever I can to make a positive impact on others as well as pushing myself to achieve new goals.

"I feel that this marathon is the perfect way to be able to test my own limits, and challenge what I never thought was possible. In a way, I think that completing it in honour of my Mum will give me a much-needed sense of closure moving forward."

Adam has been training consistently six times a week, both running and going to the gym and says he feels "stronger than ever before".

He said: "The driving force behind all of this is the memory of my Mum. There’s no amount of pain that will amount to what I felt on the day I lost her. I keep thinking back to the strength she had when trying to hold on for me and my family – it spurs me on to achieve more."

Adam hopes to raise a minimum of £2,000 for the Stars Appeal, which helps hundreds of patients and supports the NHS staff who care for them every day. Specifically, he will be raising money for the staff on the Randor Ward, who took care of his mum in her final days.

He said: "The funds we raise for the Stars Appeal are so important to me. I hope that they help the real superheroes of this world, who supported my family through our worst days, continue to do the amazing work they’re doing."

Adam hopes that he will inspire others in a similar position to do the same: "The most important thing to remember is that you aren’t alone in your grief. Truly, anything is possible. You just have to be willing to lean in on this journey and truly find what your greater purpose is for."

To donate to Adam’s fundraising campaign for the Stars Appeal, please visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/inmemoryofbeckyabel