Sam’s Army – Mission 1 Life
Saving Lives Through Awareness, Action & Community
Who They Are
Sam’s Army – Mission 1 Life was created in memory of Sam Haycock, a much-loved 16-year-old who tragically lost his life on 28th May 2021 at Ulley Country Park.
Sam had been celebrating the end of his exams with friends when tragedy struck. His sudden loss has had a devastating and lasting impact on his family, friends, and the wider community.
Sam was a popular, kind-hearted young lad with a real passion for judo, proudly competing for Miramar Judo Club and winning medals across the UK and Europe. He was the kind of person who lit up every room he walked into — full of energy, ambition and a genuine warmth that everyone around him felt.
Turning Tragedy Into Purpose
In the face of unimaginable loss, Sam’s family made an extraordinary decision. Rather than letting grief consume them, they channelled their pain into something powerful — creating Sam’s Army with one clear purpose:
To help prevent other families from experiencing the same heartbreak.
What started as a family’s response to tragedy has grown into a recognised organisation that is making a real, measurable difference in communities across the UK. Every piece of equipment installed, every awareness campaign run, and every life saved is a testament to Sam’s memory and his family’s incredible strength.
Their Mission
Sam’s Army focuses on raising awareness of the dangers associated with swimming in open water — something many people, especially young people, dangerously underestimate. Open water might look calm and inviting on a hot day, but hidden currents, sudden depth changes, freezing temperatures and underwater hazards make it one of the biggest preventable causes of accidental death in the UK.
Through fundraising and community support, they provide essential, life-saving equipment in and around open water locations to help prevent future tragedies. Their goal is beautifully simple:
To save at least one life.
A simple mission — but one that can mean everything.
What They Do
Open Water Safety Awareness
Running campaigns and educational programmes to teach people — especially young people — about the hidden dangers of open water. Knowledge saves lives.
Life-Saving Equipment
Funding and installing life-saving equipment at open water locations across the UK. Throw bags, life rings and rescue boards placed where they’re needed most.
Community Education
Working with schools, youth groups and local communities to educate people on the risks of open water and what to do in an emergency. Prevention starts with understanding.
Preventing Avoidable Loss
Every piece of equipment, every talk, every campaign has one purpose — to stop another family going through what Sam’s family endured. One life saved makes it all worthwhile.
Why Competition Kingz Supports Sam’s Army
This is more than just a charity — it’s a mission built from love, loss and a fierce determination to protect others. Sam’s family could have turned inward after losing their son. Instead, they turned outward — building something that will save lives for years to come.
Sam’s Army is making a real, visible difference in communities across the UK. The equipment they install is there 24/7, ready to save a life at a moment’s notice. The awareness they raise is changing how young people think about open water. And the courage of Sam’s family is an inspiration to everyone who hears their story.
At Competition Kingz, we are proud to support their life-saving work. Every competition entry you make helps fund more equipment, more awareness campaigns and more chances to prevent the kind of tragedy that no family should ever have to face.
Sam’s Army – Mission 1 Life is a registered organisation committed to transparency, community support and making a genuine impact.
“To save at least one life. A simple mission — but one that can mean everything.”
In memory of Sam Haycock
Find out more or support their mission: