Fund-raisers to take on virtual Great North Run in aid of hospice

The half marathon from Newcastle to South Shields was due to be held on Sunday, September 13 but has been cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Instead, Joanne Hulme, Ann-Marie Docherty, Claire ‘The Machine’ Stevens, Gary Shaller and Andrea Middlemiss will take on their own 13.1 mile challenge.

Emma Arthur, HospiceCare fund-raiser, said: “We were all saddened to hear that the Great North Run wasn’t happening this year but it was understandable.

"We are thrilled that five supporters are taking on their own Virtual Great North Run this Sunday across Northumberland, Leicestershire and North Lanarkshire, instead to support HospiceCare.

"So far the team have raised £3,300 - this could allow us to provide 13 nights of specialist Hospice at Home care and support in our local communities.”

Joanne said: “I want to help ensure that the clinical team can, with their NHS colleagues, support those who want to (or have to) be cared for at home, and that we can come out the other end with the charity intact.”

Ann-Marie added: “Our good friends Joanne and Simon volunteer for HospiceCare and persuaded me to challenge myself by running the virtual Great North Run. I have enjoyed my training runs and as the main run is cancelled I am looking forward to running a flat route in Scotland with Danny my trainer to make sure I don’t get lost.”

Claire said: “I am running the virtual Great North Run for HospiceCare because my dad’s wish was to stay at home and I know they provide a much needed service in North Northumberland.

Gary added: “With the run being cancelled we have ended up doing our own local versions on the date of the run. During lockdown I have been plodding the roads of Market

Bosworth and I will complete the 13.1 miles on these roads.”

Andrea said: “I am looking forward to my virtual Great North Run which I plan to run locally in some of my favourite surroundings at Druridge Bay.”

You can sponsor the team and read their full stories on their online pages at -

https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/JoanneHulme

http://www.justgiving.com/Ann-Marie-Docherty2

http://www.justgiving.com/Machine-runforgrandad

http://www.justgiving.com/Gary-Shaller

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