Twenty-three years after a life-changing brain haemorrhage, Sam Formby continues to inspire through determination, positivity and a mission to create opportunities for everyone, turning personal adversity into community action and hope.
“When I was in hospital, I wanted to give up, but I didn’t know how to.”
On 5th June, exactly 23 years after a brain haemorrhage changed his life forever, Sam Formby strolled through the pubs and bars of Ormskirk with a mission far greater than fundraising. Surrounded by friends, supporters and local businesses, his charity pub crawl became a celebration of resilience, community spirit and refusing to let life’s challenges define the future.
Sam spent 13 months in hospital following the haemorrhage, including three weeks in an induced coma. During those darkest moments, few could have imagined he would one day create his own charity, Enabled, dedicated to helping people realise that disability does not mean impossibility.
Determined to turn “you can’t do that” into “I can do that,” Sam has spent years inspiring others through positivity and ambition. His dream is to create a fully accessible community centre featuring a hydrotherapy pool, café and gym designed for people of all abilities.
Having recently achieved his Level 2 and Level 3 Personal Training qualifications, Sam is already taking huge steps towards making that vision a reality.
Not only that, but Sam has also launched an online community forum, R.I.S.E: Reset. Invest. Show Up. Evolve, supporting people who want to improve their fitness and wellbeing.
Businesses across Ormskirk, including The Edge, The Duck, Nordico and The Irish Bar, supported the event through raffle donations and encouragement.
Sam continues to raise the bar for inclusivity, and we’re sure many of you will raise a glass to him. Follow Sam on Facebook @SamFormby
“Everyone deserves the same opportunities to improve their physical and mental wellbeing, regardless of mobility or circumstance.”