This story for me begins all the way back in 2004, when after both getting into Brentwood School and despite my complete lack of natural ability, Charlie Edinburgh & I were both selected to play for the school's Under 12's A team. We quickly struck up a friendship, where fun and games in lessons and lunch were usually the order of the day. Not long after, I was lucky enough to be invited over to Charlie's house in Billericay for the first time on a weekend, where I met Charlie's lovely parents Kerri & Justin. We played Pro Evolution Soccer on The PlayStation and ride Charlie's mini-bike all over driveway for most of the afternoon. Then much to my surprise, I'd been invited over again, but this time, to watch Justin at work, as he at the time was the manager of Billericay Town FC. After a thrilling evening of football and spending £20 at the burger stall, I couldn't wait to go back and it wasn't soon before Justin's managerial career had taken its next step, this time as manager of Fisher Athletic. As me and Charlie spent more and more time together over the next couple of years, I'd now fully established myself as his proper little mate "Shorty" and Justin's list of Dad duties had grown, as he was now responsible for taking us out for pizza and was always more than happy to ferry us around on Saturday nights to parties, all whilst having to listen to our gangster rap music blaring through the speakers of his lovely car.

After a few more years of hard work, Justin had been appointed the new gaffer at Newport County and even I couldn't have imagined what was to transpire that season. Under Justin's incredible leadership, Newport County were promoted to the Football League after a 25-year absence via the play off's and Justin was rightly named Conference Premier Manager of the Year. But the best was still to come....

After Justin landed the Leyton Orient gig he once again managed to guide a team to the promised land of the Football League, this time though, as champions, as he'd led The Might O's to top spot of the National League during 2018-19 season, their 1st league title in 49 years. I still to this day, will never forgot watching with the replays on Sky Sports News on loop down the pub, with the cheesiest grin on my face and pride in my heart, as the final whistle in the last game of the season was blown and the crowd had launched an almighty pitch invasion and thinking to myself that the Justin I knew, when I was a little boy from school had just led one of the biggest teams in East London from the brink of extinction to glory and all down to hard work, determination and desire.

Unfortunately, the story took a turn in the worst and most unimaginable direction, as only a year later in June 2019, Justin suffered a tragic and fatal cardiac arrest. I could not believe what I was hearing when I was told the heart-breaking news on the way to my birthday celebrations. A part of me to this day, even whilst writing this, still doesn't believe that the funny, kind and incredibly caring Justin, is no longer with us.

But from this horrific tragedy and through the bravery of Justin's loved ones came The JE3 Foundation. The foundation's goal is to change legislation and raise awareness to support UK heart health charities. They do this by fund raising and providing Automated External Defibrillators (AED's) to public facilities. Cardiac arrest victims who are treated with CPR and a defibrillator within the first 3 - 5 minutes, increase their chances of survival dramatically from just 6% to 74%. This could be the difference between life and death.

This is where my side of the story comes into it. After a frustrating and worry ridden 2020 for most, I decided to use the time given to me productively during the 1st lockdown period, by combating my mental fears and becoming a long-distance runner. First, I completed a challenge called "The 4 x 4 x 48" where I ran 4 miles, every 4 hours for 48 hours continuously and then, after a week's rest, ran my first marathon. After 7 months, which seem like a lifetime, I have maintained this hobby and decided to do what I believe to be right, by using this new founded passion for some good and contributing to The JE3 Foundation's already incredible work and challenging myself to run 40 miles on Christmas Day 2020.

The reasons I chose Christmas Day were simple. Firstly, Justin's incredible kindness and character is still and certainly will be, remembered for many years to come and nothing seems more fitting to such a great man. For me as well. this Christmas will not be the normal Christmas of before, filled with the constant celebrations and Christmas cheer. But we can change that. Whilst we sit across the table from loved ones, eating splendid feasts and drinking to our heart's content as most of us do, we will have the ability this year to all become heroes for a day, by saving future lives and potentially allowing more people, more time, to enjoy Christmases to come with their loved ones. All donations, big or small, will go a long way to achieving that dream and will be most appreciated by myself, The JE3 Foundation and all Justin's family & friends.

Thank you for taking the time to read my story.

John-Henry Eldred