Angela Ferguson
BBC News, Manchester
BBC
Sam Gardiner's mother Jo says they have received "tens of thousands of messages" since his death
The family of Race Across The World contestant Sam Gardiner have said they are "overwhelmed" by the love and support they have received following his death.
Mr Gardiner, 24, who took part in the BBC show alongside his mother Jo, died in hospital following a crash on the A34 near Manchester on 26 May.
His family set up a fundraiser in his memory for the National Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) charity which has raised more than £10,000.
Ms Gardiner said her son had been diagnosed with the condition, which can develop when someone has been exposed to alcohol in the womb, and added: "If some good comes of this tragedy, it will be that FASD is better understood".
"We have been overwhelmed by the tens of thousands of messages of love and support on social media and in comments to press reporting," she said.
"We would like to thank the BBC, Studio Lambert and everyone at Race Across The World production, fellow contestants and fans of the show for all their support at this terrible time.
"It has been very comforting to know that Sam touched so many people."
Race Across The World viewers were touched by Sam and his mum Jo's "special relationship", a spokesperson for the show said
Ms Gardiner said she had been "particularly moved by all the messages that Sam was an inspiration to many who have been impacted by FASD".
"We adopted Sam and he was diagnosed with FASD. As viewers of season two will recall, this was a big challenge both for Sam and for us as his parents," she said.
But she added that the National FASD charity "helped us on that journey".
family handout
Sam was described as "pure sunshine in human form" by another contestant of the BBC series
The landscape gardener died when his car left the road and rolled before landing on its side on the A34 in Gatley, Cheadle, Greater Manchester Police said.
He was the only person in the white Volkswagen Golf R estate and was taken to hospital, where he died from his injuries on 29 May.
Mr Gardiner and his mother travelled across Mexico and Argentina in the BBC show, broadcast in March 2020.
His father Andrew said: "When the news broke last week, friends asked how they could help.
"After some thought, I decided to set up a JustGiving page to raise money for National FASD in memory of Sam.
"The page is called Sam Gardiner; Super Human."
He said it was "very humbling to see the Race Around The World family rally to this worthy cause".
A message on its official Instagram account said: "Sam lived his life full of love, exuberance and adventure as seen on BBC's Race Across the World.
"National FASD is both humbled and honoured to help carry on his legacy via donations coming from hundreds."
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