Sam's family are fundraising in his memory
Sam Thomas had big plans for the future. He wanted to build something of his own but was passionate about helping other people too.
Sam Thomas had big plans for the future. He wanted to build something of his own but was passionate about helping other people too.
After setting up URFUTR in January 2025, a technical recruitment company, with his dad, Sam contacted Porchlight to explore how he could make a positive social impact through the profits created by URFUTR by donating 5% of all income once he launched it in summer of 2025.
When Sam died after a sudden epileptic seizure in 2025 just weeks later when he was just 24 years old, his family were devastated. But even in their grief, they were determined to continue the work he started.
URFUTR was changed to became a not for profit community interest company (CIC) to honour the values Sam cared about most through various events. In March 2026, family and friends came together at the URFUTR Ball at Orida Hotel Maidstone to celebrate Sam and raise money for Porchlight.
More than 110 people attended, including Porchlight staff and people we’ve supported. It was a night full of warmth, laughter and memories, with Sam’s personality everywhere you looked. Red and white balloons reflected his love of Arsenal F.C., auction prizes celebrated his love of sport, and a fancy dress competition captured his sense of fun and his love of a good night out.
Sam’s family also set up an online donation page so that anyone Sam’s legacy of kindness and generosity could donate in his memory.
Altogether, an incredible £24,556.70 has so far been raised in memory of Sam. We’re so grateful that Sam chose to support Porchlight and that his family plan to continue fundraising to keep his legacy of kindness and generosity alive.
