Friend of A66 officer Matthew Blades to run Great North Run tribute

Daragh Burke, 37, is taking on the world’s biggest half marathon in place of PC Matthew Blades, determined to make sure the number his friend was due to wear still crosses the finish line.

PC Blades and his colleague, PC Tom Clough, died when a VW travelling the wrong way along the A66 at South Bank hit their marked police car head-on on Saturday, August 22.

For Daragh, who says “we couldn’t have been closer”, taking Matthew’s place is a fitting tribute to a friendship that stretched from primary school to adulthood.

The pair went through primary school, secondary school, college and university together, remaining inseparable into adulthood.

PC Matthew Blades, Daragh Burke and Conan. (Image: DARAGH BURKE)

Matthew asked Daragh to be his best man and Daragh later became godfather to Matthew’s children.

The business owner said: “We couldn’t have been closer.

“Since the incident I just feel like I’m waiting for him to get in touch as he was always at the other end of the phone.

“That’s one of the hardest parts for me.”

PC Blades was due to complete the Great North Run for Parkinson’s UK tomorrow (September 13).

“I didn’t want to see his number go to waste.

“Me doing it will get that number over the line and hopefully raise a bit more money.”

Unlike many runners who spend months training for the 13.1-mile challenge, Daragh has had only weeks to prepare.

He said: “I haven’t done much running over the past few years but I’ve given it my all in the weeks I’ve had.

“Matthew would be laughing his head off at me doing this as I’ve only had two weeks training but he would be immensely proud as I know Parkinson’s UK is something he felt so strongly about helping.”

The challenge carries added emotion after Daragh joined Matthew’s family, friends and colleagues at his funeral this week.

He said: “I was in the police for a period of time so I know what the job entails, but for all those police officers to come out and show their support was unbelievable.”

Daragh remembered the final weeks he spent with Matthew.

Daragh’s son Conan was christened just over a month before Matthew died.

Matthew became Conan’s godfather and wrote him a card saying: “Dream big, always believe in yourself.”

Daragh said: “That sums him up, that was just who he was.”

On Sunday, thousands of runners will race from Newcastle to South Shields.

Matthew’s funeral took place on Emergency Services Day, a national day of remembrance for those who have died in the line of duty.

Hundreds of people packed St Joseph’s Church in Hartlepool to pay their respects to the 37-year-old father of two who died on duty. Standard bearers from every force across the country lined the route as PC Blades’ hearse made the journey to the church.

His coffin was draped in the Union Jack flag. The hearse carried a floral tribute at its front: “Dad”.

Donate to the fundraiser here: Parkinson’s UK – Matthew Blades