A NORTH-EAST lawyer will cheer on one of his best friends in the Great North Run next month as she raises funds in honour of the heroes who saved his life.

Iain Walker was well prepared for his first half marathon last September having tackled about 500 miles in training.

But 11 miles in he suffered a cardiac arrest and had to be resuscitated by community first responders from St John Ambulance.

He spent three weeks in hospital, where medics could not find anything wrong with his heart – exhaustion and dehydration are thought to be the causes for his collapse.

Mr Walker, of Sunderland, has since made a full recovery and not only that, despite his brush with death a year ago he has has made a successful return to running regularly.

Now fitter than he has ever been, the 30-year-old, who works in Middlesbrough, was tempted to take a place in this year’s Great North Run on Sunday, September 11.

Conscious of the painful memories that would bring back for his nearest and dearest – not least his mother Hilary, who has multiple sclerosis and was the inspiration for his ill-fated 2015 run – he has opted out.

However, his friend Amy Watson, also from Sunderland, who took part last year has signed up again and is raising funds for St John Ambulance.

Mr Walker, whose efforts last year raised £1,234 for the MS Society, said: “I wouldn’t be here today without St John Ambulance, it’s that simple.

“I’ve promised my mam I wouldn’t run this year, so I’m thrilled that my wonderful friend Amy is running to raise the money that I would have loved to raise. I’m calling on all my friends and family to sponsor her. I’ll be there at mile 11 to cheer her on – and make sure she’s fit and well.”

Miss Watson said: “Without the rapid response of the highly trained community first responders carrying automated external defibrillators (AEDs) providing vital first aid until an ambulance could get to Iain, it is highly likely he would not still be with us cracking his questionable jokes and singing Rat Pack tunes at every opportunity.

It’s an ambitious target, but I’m aiming to raise £1,000 which would pay for an AED, the same equipment which saved Iain’s life. Every penny, pound and word of encouragement will be gratefully received.”

Iain’s mother Hilary added: “We’re so grateful to have Iain alive and give thanks to all who were there for him on the worst day of our lives in September last year.”

Visit justgiving.com/ fundraising/AmyGNR1