WHEN his best friend got him into running decades ago, Dean Tatum didn’t think he’d end up running every day for a year and raising thousands for charity.

Dean, 59 years old and from Great Dunmow, said: “The hardest part is not the distance, it’s getting up every morning come rain or shine, running at 6am in the pouring rain.

“Matt inspired me to run. If I ever get a tough hill, I think of him and find my energy.”

Dean and his best friend Matthew Bright stuck together since their school days at Tabour Academy in Braintree.

Team - Matt (left) and Dean (right) when they were starting up their own aftershave business in their youth. Team - Matt (left) and Dean (right) when they were starting up their own aftershave business in their youth. (Image: Dean Tatum) After school, the pair explored America and Greece before they worked in Dean’s family business in Colchester, while Matt was “part of the family” in a relationship with Dean’s sister.

They eventually broke away and started their own shop in Epping, aptly named Epping Interiors, and later founded Milano Cento aftershave.

Dean said: “As well as being a good best friend, business partner, and housemate, Matt got me into running.

“We were probably about 22 at the time, and we ran along the Braintree bypass for five miles.

“We were always running, cycling, swimming or in the gym doing aerobics classes together.

“I picked up the running again a few years ago, and then Covid came along, and I started working from home, and I said I’d run every day and see how it goes.”

Challenge - Dean has been running every day since his 59th birthday on March 21. Challenge - Dean has been running every day since his 59th birthday on March 21. (Image: Dean Tatum) Dean ran for the whole year, and it wasn’t until the last few weeks that he thought of doing it for charity.

On March 21, 2024, Dean set himself the challenge to run every single day of the year, raising money for British Heart Foundation.

Fifteen years ago in November, Matt sadly passed away after a heart attack at the age of 44.

Dean said: “He was young and a super fit triathlete, and it was a real shock.

“I think British Heart Foundation is always there for everyone as a support network, and heart attacks unfortunately are very common, and if they weren’t there to help pick up the pieces it would be a lot worse than it is.”

Memory - David is running in memory of his best friend Matt, who was a triathlete before he sadly died suddenly of a heart attack. Memory - David is running in memory of his best friend Matt, who was a triathlete before he sadly died suddenly of a heart attack. (Image: Dean Tatum) Dean runs 12 miles a week, running over a mile most mornings and doing three or four miles on Saturdays and Sundays.

For his 25th wedding anniversary in July, he ran with his wife Valissa in white and gold outfits.

He will keep up the challenge when he goes to Australia in a few months, running each day in the country’s 40-degree summer heat.

By his 60th birthday next year, he will likely have run over 600 miles.

Family - Dean has been supported by his wife of 25 years, Valissa, his 19-year-old daughter Ebonie, and two other children Trinity, 22, and Selena, 14Family - Dean has been supported by his 19-year-old daughter Ebonie, his wife of 25 years, Valissa, and two other daughters Trinity, 22, and Selena, 14 (Image: Dean Tatum) He hopes to complete the final run with Matt’s two children, Emily and Leo, who are in their early 20s.

Dean said: “It’s for a good cause—that’s my motivation, to do something for Matt that’s hopefully going to benefit other people in the future.”

To keep up with Dean’s journey, find him on Instagram and TikTok, where he posts heartfelt and hilarious updates.

To donate, visit: Dean Tatum is fundraising for British Heart Foundation (justgiving.com) or search Dean Tatum 'Run 4 Bright' in Just Giving.