The friend of a popular councillor who took his own life is set to run a 10-mile race in his memory.

Adam Drew will honour the memory of his friend Terry Streets by taking part in the Great South Run next month.

Terry worked for Red Funnel and was a Southampton councillor before he died by suicide in 2022, aged 37.

Running was something the childhood friends often did, having completed the Great South Run in 2021 side by side.

Adam, 39, said: “Terry loved running. As a two-time London marathon finisher, I looked up to him.

“I’d ask him for fuelling gel suggestions or other tips. Now when I run, I feel Terry with me.

“I carry a photo of him in my running vest, and when I did a recent half marathon I saw a white feather come down towards the end, which made me feel he was looking over me.

“I ended up getting a personal best, and I’ll be running the Great South Run, our favourite race, this year for him again and hoping to beat my personal best.”

Adam Drew running the London Marathon 2024Adam Drew running the London Marathon 2024 (Image: Adam Drew)

Following the Great South Run in 2021, Adam accidentally ended up with both his and Terry’s medals.

The latter was placed in Terry’s casket by Adam following his death.

Adam saw Terry on the last night of his life when they met in Ocean Village.

He is now determined to honour his best friend and raise awareness of male suicide after becoming a mental health first aider.

During an inquest held at Winchester Coroners’ Court last August, it was heard that Terry had been suffering from chronic depression, for which he was being treated with medication.

This followed the breakdown of his relationship, and it is believed he accumulated ‘considerable debt’ at the date of his death.

Senior coroner Christopher Wilkinson concluded the death was a suicide.

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