EastEnders legend Adam Woodyatt is taking on an incredible challenge to mark 10 years since his son survived a horrific car accident.
The Ian Beale star, 58, has revealed he will run four half marathons across four consecutive weekends to raise money for Barts Charity, after the Royal London Hospital cared for his son Sam following the devastating 2016 crash.
Adam shared the personal reason behind his fundraising mission in an emotional Instagram post, explaining that Sam was walking to Mile End Station in east London on September 29, 2016 when he was struck by a car travelling at 56mph.
Looking back on the terrifying incident almost a decade later, the soap legend said he remains incredibly grateful for his son’s recovery.
‘Some of you will know this, some of you won’t,’ Adam began.
’10 years ago on 29th September 2016, my son Sam was walking to Mile End Station when he got hit by a car doing 56mph.
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‘Somehow he not only survived but made a 100% recovery and I will always be grateful to the Royal London Hospital for all that they did for him.’
Adam is now planning to put himself through a pretty gruelling few weeks to say thank you.
He continued: ‘So I’m running four half Marathons over four consecutive weekends, starting with Shoreditch on the 20th September, Battersea, Victoria Park and finally Royal Parks on 11th October to raise money for Bart’s Charity.
‘I’m not the best at the social media malarkey, so if any of you could share the fundraising link… that would be fantastic.
‘Link to donate is in the bio… hopefully!
‘Ad xx.’
Sam was just 18 when the collision happened, and the extent of his injuries was incredibly serious.
Emergency services rushed to the scene, and Sam was placed into an induced coma before being taken to the Royal London Hospital, where he underwent a five-hour operation.
He suffered a shattered pelvis, and his injuries initially left him needing a wheelchair.
However, Sam went on to make a remarkable recovery, gradually progressing from a wheelchair to crutches before eventually being able to walk unaided.
The accident had another extraordinary connection to Adam and Sam’s fundraising efforts.
Before the crash, the father and son had already planned to run the London Marathon together in aid of London’s Air Ambulance.
Despite everything he had been through, Sam was determined to get back on his feet and complete the challenge.
Just months after the accident, the pair went on to take part in the 2017 London Marathon together, raising money for the emergency service which had helped save Sam’s life.
Adam later spoke of his immense pride in his son’s recovery and determination following the accident.
Sam even went on to have a rather brilliant connection to his dad’s Albert Square life.
In 2020, he made a surprise cameo in EastEnders as a police officer who arrested Ian Beale, meaning Adam briefly found himself being nicked by his own son.
Adam, of course, has been synonymous with EastEnders since the BBC soap began in 1985, with Ian remaining one of Walford’s most recognisable faces.
His latest challenge will see him cover a whopping 52.4 miles across the four half marathons.
And while that’s no small undertaking, the reason behind it couldn’t be more personal.
Almost 10 years after the accident that left his family facing an unimaginable situation, Adam is using the anniversary to give something back to the people who helped his son make the recovery he once could only have hoped for.
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