He's watched one friend deal with the devastating impact of motor neurone disease.
And now former footballer Phill Bell is on a mission to support another pal who has received the same cruel diagnosis.
The 39-year-old, from Callerton in Newcastle, played alongside local footballing hero Mark Taylor when Whitley Bay FC brought the FA Vase back to Tyneside in 2009.
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But just months later Mark was given the devastating news that he had the degenerative nerve condition motor neurone disease (MND).
With the support of his friends, family and the local football community Mark has inspirationally battled the disease for more than 10 years now.
But Phill, who has watched his friend's brave fight was last year dealt a fresh blow when another close pal, his business partner Paul Smith, was diagnosed with the same condition.
Determined to do all he can to help Phill has launched an ambitious fund-raising mission to raise money to support his pal and help organisations supporting those with MND.
On December 28 he will attempt to complete a 24 hour cricket batting session, otherwise known as a "net session", at South Northumberland Cricket Club, in Gosfoth.
And today Phill has told of his determination to do all he can to help his friend.
He said: "It's just awful. Having seen Mark go through the stages of the disease for the last 10 years I know what's coming. Mark was a sports person and an athlete and Paul is also an avid sporting person.
"To see someone going from being athletic to someone who can't stand up is really tough.
"But they have both just shown this unbelievable strength."
Paul and Phill, who both come from sporting backgrounds, run ART Health Solutions- a company which helps employers look after their staff's wellbeing.
Paul, 44, from Kilkenny in Ireland, was diagnosed with MND in April 2021.
He is now undergoing a course of exploratory treatment, only available in America, and like others battling MND he has had to cope with the financial burden of treatments and living costs alongside the physical and emotional toll the disease takes.
Phill is now preparing for his challenge and looking for bowlers to volunteer to bowl against him.
He added: "I want to make it an event. Anyone can come along and bowl and we will be looking at other ways to raise money on the day. I have already received lots of kind donations."
Phill has set up a page on the online fundraising page for anyone wanting to donate. You can visit it here.
Money raised will be used to help Paul with his personal fight as well as donated to the Irish Motor Neurone Diease Association.
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