Uncle's illness inspires cousins to run

Cousins Andrew and Katie with their uncle Mark Duffy, centre

TWO cousins whose uncle is fighting an aggressive brain tumour are taking on the Great North Run to raise money for research into the disease.

Mark Duffy, 54, from Durham, was diagnosed with a grade four glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) earlier this year after the sudden onset of difficulties walking and talking.

He underwent surgery and is now on chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment.

Mr Duffy’s niece, Katie Clifford, a medical student, 20, and nephew Andrew Robson, 27, both from Durham, have been inspired to enter the event and aim to raise hundreds for the pioneering charity Brain Tumour Research.

They will be part of a 35-strong team raising money for the charity, which funds a network of centres of excellence where scientists are focused on improving treatments for patients and finding a cure. Each day of research costs £2,740.

Miss Clifford, of Dinsdale Drive, who is in her second year at Brighton and Sussex Medical School, and hopes to specialise in emergency medicine, said: “Sadly, the outlook for my uncle is very poor and the prognosis for people with this tumour type can be as little as 12 to 18 months.

Bishops promise to put aside competition 

TWO bishops will be swapping their mitres for sports vests when they join the starting line on Sunday.

Bishop of Newcastle, Christine Hardman, will be joined by Bishop of Berwick, Mark Tanner, at this year's Great North Run.

Bishop Hardman, a marathon veteran who is raising money for the West End Refugee Service Hardship Fund, said: "The way they support people coming to this city who are desperately in need of friendship and support is extraordinarily professional and yet compassionate.

"They help people who often have nowhere else to turn, and what I really like about WERS is that many of the volunteers are people who came seeking help, and are giving to others the same friendship they received."

Bishop Tanner is raising money for youth work in Byker carried out by Mission Initiative Newcastle East.

He said: "Being a bishop in the North-East, it would simply be wrong not to engage with the Great North Run. I’m so looking forward to being part of this great community event."

Running for twins with cerebral palsy

Tara Morris, and twins Lennon and Layla

TARA Morris, from Northallerton, is taking on the Great North Run to raise money for twins Lennon and Layla Coady.

The three-year-olds were born at just 28 weeks, one weighing 2lbs 10oz and the other weighing 3lbs.

Both have been diagnosed with cerebral palsy. 

Layla also has a rare generic disorder which means that some of the genetic material which makes up one of the 46 chromosomes is missing.

Tara said: “Lennon is a good candidate for an operation which is not funded by the NHS and which would enable him to walk independently and live a pain-free life. 

“We are also hoping that one day Layla will walk independently and we are raising money to fund additional treatments not available on the NHS.”
To support Tara, see www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/tara-morris

Running for Samaritans

Steve McAllister is running the Great North Run for the Darlington branch of the Samaritans

STEVE McAllister, from Darlington, is running the Great North Run for the fifth time for the Darlington branch of the Samaritans. 

He said: “This local charity, whilst being part of the national organisation, is purely funded by donations and staffed by volunteers. 

“They work 24/7 to help people at their lowest ebb. 

“I’ve been astounded by the number of people who’ve approached me to say they’ve needed someone at the end of the phone at one time or another.

“Mental health is no longer an elephant in the room and it’s something I’m having to deal with personally.

“I’m proud to do my little bit to help. I’m not in the greatest shape and won’t be PBing but I’ll finish.”

To support Steve, donate at Justgiving.com

Cricketers ready for the challenge

Durham County cricketers Keaton Jennings and Michael Richardson are ready for the Great North Run

A RARE gap in the cricket calendar means a team of the region’s leading sportsmen can take part in this year’s Great North Run.

Durham County cricketers Keaton Jennings, Chris Rushworth and Michael Richardson, along with academy director John Windows, are all lacing up their running shoes for this year’s half marathon.

Usually the players are involved in County Championship action throughout September, but a fixture break means they can join the thousands taking to the streets from Newcastle to South Shields.

Keaton Jennings, who is raising money for the Durham Cricket Foundation, said: “This will be my first Great North Run and it’s great to finally get the chance to take part in such a special event.

“We’ve got a little break in the fixtures this year and it gives us a chance to continue our fitness training during the season.
“It’s a great day for the city and I’m delighted to be able to raise funds for Durham’s Foundation.”

Durham Foundation manager Josie Pointon said: “The cricket players play an important part in raising the aspirations of our local community and to see them giving back to the game of cricket just showcases what positive role models they are for the young people of this region.” 

She added: “Credit to the boys for taking time out of their busy training schedules in order to take part in the race and commit to fundraise for these important causes.”

Food critic running alongside comedian

Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall and Ross Noble

TELEVISION chef Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall will be taking part in the Great North 5k for the first time, running alongside Geordie comedian Ross Noble.

The food campaigner is taking to the streets the day before the main event as part of the Newcastle Can initiative, spearheaded by Hugh, which aims to make the city fitter and healthier. 

He said: “Newcastle is leading the way. I’m hoping that towns and cities across Britain will take up the challenge to eat better and get healthier.

“Events like the Simplyhealth Great North 5k are a fantastic way to become more active – not least because there’s so much support from other runners, and spectators. I’m a novice myself so I’m looking forward to the run with a certain amount of trepidation. It’s fantastic to know that Ross is on board and will be joining me.”

Ross added: “You might as well come and join us, if you worry you might die you might as well go quickly rather than dying slowly sitting on the couch.”

Running in footsteps of a legend

Will and Chloe Shearer

TAKING on the Great North Run for the first time can be daunting enough, but when your father is a sporting legend, it means there is a lot to live up to.

Will and Chloe Shearer, son and daughter of football star Alan Shearer, hope to complete the half marathon in aid of the Newcastle-based charity he set up. 

The pair are raising money for The Alan Shearer Foundation, which the former Newcastle United star set up in 2012 to support The Alan Shearer Centre at St Cuthbert’s Care in Newcastle. 

Chloe, who is 24 and works in London at a sports media agency, said: “It’s the first time for both of us doing the Simplyhealth Great North Run.

“We love a challenge and think it’s healthy to do something out of your comfort zone once in a while. Neither of us are ‘runners’ so to speak and never run long distance so we thought it’s about time we did.

“The only advice that Dad has given us is ‘You had better complete it’, which is advice in his own sort of way.

“We know he is very proud of the both of us for taking on the challenge."

Friend, nana and grandad in their thoughts

Andrea Watson and son Jack Spence

ANDREA Watson and her son, Jack Spence, from Thirsk, are doing the Great North Run for the first time, and are both raising money for Macmillan Cancer Support. 

Andrea said: "This charity is very close to both our hearts. I am running in memory of my best friend, Sue Rhoney, who died from this terrible disease two and a half years ago, and Jack is running in memory of his nanna and grandad, Sue and Tony Spence, who both also suffered from cancer. 

"It will be a very emotional day for both of us. So far we have raised over £1,000 between us and we are very grateful for everyone's generosity and support."

To support them, find their sites on Justgiving.com

In daughter and partner's memory

Deborah Hutchinson with friend Sonia Douglas. Right, Courtney Boyle

A MUM who lost her partner and daughter in the Manchester terror attack will be cheering on a team running in their honour this weekend.

Keen runner Deborah Hutchinson, whose 19-year-old daughter Courtney Boyle and partner Philip Tron died in the Manchester Arena bombing, gave up her place in this year’s Great North Run.

But a team of friends and fellow Alzheimer’s Research UK runners will wear yellow ribbons to remember the pair.

Courtney, whose favourite colour was yellow, was studying criminology and psychology at Leeds University and her proud mum recently picked up an honorary degree on her behalf.

The 44-year-old, who lives in Gateshead with her youngest daughter, said: “I was so proud to pick her degree. She was my little rock and was always smiling she had a huge heart filled with love.

“Courtney never gave up. She followed her dreams - she got her A-levels and got into Leeds and she was focussed on making a better life for herself.”

Deborah took up running last summer as a way of clearing her head and keeping fit, which earned her a new nickname at home.

“Courtney used to call me Forrest Gump,” she said. “We just used to laugh about it and she’d cheer me on saying ‘run mother run’.

Alzheimer’s Research UK will be providing yellow ribbons for all of its 153 runners on the day.

School teacher running in memory of her cousin

Susan Dougherty is taking part in the Great North Run in memory of her cousin John, who died of Bowel Cancer

A PRIMARY school teacher is taking on the Great North Run in memory of her cousin to raise funds for Bowel Cancer UK.

Susan Dougherty, 36, from Sowerby near Thirsk, lost her cousin John to the disease on New Year's Eve at the age of 34. 

She is now determined to raise much needed funds for the cause and boost awareness of the disease, which is the nation’s second biggest cancer killer. 

Ms Dougherty, who has been training since April, said: “I’ve never done anything like this before. The training has been hard at times but it has felt easier knowing that it has been nothing to the pain I know that John had throughout the last 18 months of his life.

“John was also keen runner and was training for a marathon when he was diagnosed. He looked after himself but was unlucky to have a genetic condition, which he knew nothing about. 

“It was his wish that we would continue to raise awareness of the disease as early detection and treatment can be the key to survival.”

• Donations to her fundraising can be made to justgiving.com/fundraising/susan-dougherty5

Mother competing in memory of daughter

Gemma Burwood-Conroy

A CARE worker is competing in this year’s Great North Run in memory of her daughter who died at just three-days-old.
Gemma Burwood-Conroy, a care assistant from Highfield Care Home in Yarm, near Stockton, is running the race for a second time to raise money for Neo Angels.

After losing her daughter, Izzy Rose, Mrs Burwood-Conroy decided to take part in local runs – losing more than six stone in the process.

She raised more than £100 so far, and she is hoping to beat the £200 target she has set herself.

“My husband and I lost our first baby - she was born in North Tees and went to the neo-natal unit immediately,” said Mrs Burwood Conroy
“The staff in that unit were amazing, not just amazing at looking after our little girl, they were extremely supportive to us and our family,” she added.

Carolyn O’Lone, manager at Highfield Care Home, said: “It is fantastic what Gemma has achieved - not only her weight loss but the money that she has raised to support Neo Angels.”

To support Carolyn, visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Gemma-Burwood-Conroy1

Running after stem cell donation

Paul Dillon

A NURSE is attempting to complete the Great North Run less than a month after donating stem cells to someone in desperate need.

Paul Dillon, from Stockton, is looking to raise money for blood cancer charity Anthony Nolan after one of his school friends was diagnosed with the illness.

Mr Dillon, 36, said: “I had always wanted to take part in Great North Run, and I wanted to find a great cause to do it for.

“A school friend had blood cancer and I thought what better cause is there than Anthony Nolan.”

Despite only recently finding out he’d been matched with someone who needed a stem cell transplant, he is confident of completing the 13 mile challenge.

“I received the call out of the blue in January to say that I was a potential match for a patient and a blood sample would have to be taken to confirm this,” he said.

“I didn't think twice about my decision as I would like to think somebody would do the same for me if I ever needed a stem cell transplant."

Kirsty Mooney, head of events at Anthony Nolan, said: “The funds they raise will enable us to recruit potential stem cell donors to the Anthony Nolan register, any one of whom could give a second chance of life for someone with blood cancer.”

• To sponsor Mr Dillon, visit uk.virginmoneygiving.com/PaulDillon1

Running for mental health charity after overcoming adversity

A BUSINESSMAN who started struggling with mental health issues following the recession is taking part in his first half marathon.

Mark Shaverin, from Chester-le-Street, will be taking part to raise money for Mind, the mental health charity.

The 59-year-old said: "I had a successful business up until the start of the global recession in 2007.

“Whilst I managed to force a sale in early 2008, it had really affected my mental wellbeing.

“I could also see how especially for young people their hopes and dreams had suddenly been shattered too.”

Following the crash, Mr Shaverin discovered that exercise and running provided a way to cope with mental health problems.

Though he had played football at school, he had not done any exercise until December 2015 when he decided to take part in a couch to 5K scheme run by Gateshead Council and managed to complete the Great North 5K for the first time the following year.

He has since joined a running club and has been building up to running his first half marathon on Sunday, which he will be doing in aid of mental health charity Mind.

He said: “Having completed couch to 5k I joined a running club and have since made many friends from other clubs too.

“What is clear is that I am not the only one who has had mental health issues that has found acceptance within a club.

“No one judges each other because many have been where I have been.”

Running for charity that looks after fellow police officers

PC Dave Anderson, of Stokesley Police

A POLICE officer is running to help other serving members of the police force by raising money for a peer support charity. 

PC Dave Anderson, of Stokesley police, will be taking part in the Great North Run for the charity Call4BackUp, which helps serving and volunteer members of the police by offering support with their wellbeing and other assistance.

The officer has neared his fundraising target of £300 with off-line and online donations and is still hoping to raise more for the charity.

On his JustGiving page, PC Anderson wrote: “Now more than ever there is a demand and true need for the services offered by Call4Backup. This is sadly only going to increase.”

• To sponsor PC Anderson, visit his fundraising page; justgiving.com/fundraising/david-anderson63
• For more details of the charity Call4BackUp, see call4backup.org

Eight family members running for hospice

EIGHT members of the same family are taking part in a half marathon to raise money for hospice.

Ranging in age from 26 to 63, a family is joining forces to raise money for St Oswalds Hospice, in Newcastle, which cared for late family member Noel Dawson, previously of Shotley Bridge, County Durham and Wooler, Northumberland.

David Friesner, 62, from Lanchester, who first completed the Great North Run in 1981, is taking part with his daughters Holly, 29, and Joy, 31, nephew Ali Carr and his wife Alex, and niece Andrea Carr-Macdonald. Also taking part are Barbara Clark, who is Holly and Joy's aunt, and her daughter Sarah, 

Mr Friesner said: "Strange to think that when I ran in the very first Great North Run way back in 1981, my daughters weren’t even born. Now, this year, and together with other family members, we’ll all be running for charity, this time in aid of St Oswalds Hospice, Newcastle.

"With times over the years ranging from 1hr 54mins (1997) to 2hrs 25 mins (1991), I’ll be happy with a finishing time this year anywhere around 2hrs 15mins.

"We are very grateful for all of the kind support that we receive for such a good cause. Any donation, however big or small, is gratefully received and will help spur the eight of us on on the day. Thank you in advance for your kindness and support.”

• St Oswald's Hospice provides specialist care, free of charge, for local adults, young people and children across the North-East.