A submariner is taking on an extraordinary 69-mile run in memory of a friend who took his own life.
Petty Officer Aaron Jackson will run from Morecambe to Harrogate in an attempt to raise £3,000 in memory of friend Jordan Phillip.
He’ll also be supporting The Jordan Legacy CIC, an organisation dedicated to suicide prevention in the UK.
Jordan, from Horsforth, was just 34-years-old when he tragically took his own life in December 2019, following a battle with clinical depression.
Aaron, who attended Torrisholme Primary School in Morecambe with Jordan, describes him as “a great man, loving, caring, thoughtful and funny”, and is determined to honour his memory by taking on this immense challenge.
A Journey of remembrance and purpose
Setting off at 4am, Aaron’s gruelling journey will take approximately 16 hours.
It will be culminating at ‘Jordan’s Gate’ near Harrogate—a place of deep sentimental value, as it is close to where Jordan once lived and where a cherished photograph of him was taken just four and a half years before his passing.
Aaron has witnessed first-hand the devastating impact of suicide on families, particularly in comforting Jordan’s 12-year-old nephew during the funeral.
He said:
“Seeing the devastation, shock, and trauma that follows the death of a loved one to suicide, I want to do whatever I can to prevent this happening to any other family.”
This is not the first time Aaron has put himself to the test for The Jordan Legacy CIC.
In August 2023, he raised over £2,000 by completing a 6-hour ultramarathon, wearing combat boots and a weighted Bergen.
This year’s event is another mental and physical challenge. It's also a tribute to the milestone 40th birthday that both he and Jordan should have been celebrating together.
All proceeds from Aaron’s run will go directly to The Jordan Legacy CIC, which works to prevent all preventable suicides in the UK through awareness, education, and practical solutions.
For further information, donations, or to follow Aaron’s progress, supporters can visit his JustGiving page here.
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