On Sunday 8 September, Jonathan Pinnick is taking part in the Great North Run. While he is no stranger to running, having completed five half marathons previously, this will be Jonathan’s first Great North Run. It will also be a special half marathon as he is running in memory of his friend Nick Wallis, who lived with Duchenne muscular dystrophy and sadly died in July 2014, aged 29. Jonathan explains why he’s running for us to mark the tenth anniversary of Nick’s passing.
“He has been an inspiration to me throughout my life”: Running the Great North Run in memory of my friend

Nick and I met at primary school when we were four and remained good friends throughout school and into adulthood. When we first met, Nick could still walk but I saw his condition progress over the years and only became fully aware of what it meant for him to have Duchenne muscular dystrophy as we got older.
Things got harder for Nick, and he was in a wheelchair by the time we reached secondary school. I remember him starting to struggle with things that the rest of us took for granted. But I rarely heard him complain.
He was just a genuinely lovely guy – so positive and determined to make the most of life.
Nick had a thirst for knowledge and was one of the brightest, most intelligent people I’ve ever known. He has been an inspiration to me throughout my life.
I moved away from our hometown in Northampton when I was 18 and went to university but remained in contact with Nick and am still in touch with his family today. Nick sadly died in July 2014, just a few months before his 30th birthday.

2014 was particularly poignant for me as my dad also died earlier the same year, but I was determined to do something positive so signed up for the Great Scottish Swim in August 2014. Thanks to everyone’s support, I raised £1,372 for Muscular Dystrophy UK that summer in Nick’s memory.
Ten years on, and after my wife Judith encouraged me to get into running a few years ago, I’m running the Great North Run – again fundraising for Muscular Dystrophy UK as a tribute to Nick.
I wanted to do something to mark a decade since his passing. I was never sporty at school so I’m not sure what Nick would think of me doing this! But I know he’d be supportive and pleased that I’m doing something to help others living with muscular dystrophy.
Jonathan’s friendship and ongoing support is something valued by Nick’s family. Nick’s mum, Di Wallis said: “Jonathan’s committed friendship was a great support to Nick and his continuing contact with us as a family has been an important link. Knowing that Nick is remembered and so positively means a lot to us.”