Remembering Sam Haycock

A lad with a passion for life

Sam was a lovable, popular 16-year-old with a real passion for judo. He trained and competed for Miramar Judo Club, winning many medals across the UK and Europe. He was the kind of person who lit up a room, a son and friend with his whole life ahead of him.

The 28th of May, 2021

On the last day of school, with exams behind them, Sam and his friends went to Ulley Country Park to celebrate. While walking around the reservoir, tragedy struck, and Sam lost his life in the water.

Open water can look calm and inviting, especially on a warm day. Beneath the surface it is often bitterly cold, deep and unforgiving, and it can overwhelm even the strongest, fittest swimmer in moments. What happened to Sam could happen to anyone's child.

"If telling Sam's story stops this happening to one more family, then it is worth everything."

Simon Haycock, Sam's dad

From heartbreak to a mission

In the depths of grief, Sam's family, led by his dad, Simon, made a decision: Sam's death would not be in vain. They founded Sam's Army's Mission 1 Life to warn others of the dangers of open water and to fund the life-saving equipment that gives people a fighting chance.

Since then, working alongside South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue and the local community, the charity has helped put throwlines and safety measures in place across the region, including at Ulley itself, and taken Sam's story into schools so that young people understand the risk before they ever stand at the water's edge.

Every throwline installed, every talk given, every pound raised carries Sam's name forward, and moves us closer to the only goal that matters: saving at least one life.