Cancer fight inspires Tina at famous run

Tina Young, who runs Barking Mad home-from-home dog-care franchise, and her fellow runners successfully completed the half-marathon earlier this month.

Mum-of-two Tina and her team decided to raise cash for the hospice organisation following the counselling service she received at the charity’s Alnwick therapy centre.

Tina said: “Last year was tough, what with chemotherapy, surgery and radiotherapy.

“But I couldn’t have got through it without the love and support of friends and family and the wonderful help of the HospiceCare volunteers.

“I am now fixed. The hair has grown back as well as my eyelashes, nails and eyebrows and I have been able to go on training runs as my strength returned.

“Tina described Sunday’s run – her fourth – as ‘the best day ever’, adding: “According to my running buddies, I smiled the whole day. Apart from when I was getting teary. I have done the run before, but this year felt very special to me, for obvious reasons.

“I’m overwhelmed with the donations.”

The 10 runners were: Tina; her brother Steven Veitch; Lynn Mathieson; Elizabeth, Wayne and Rebecca Hilton (Rebecca, aged nine, did the mini Great North Run the day before); Matt Blakesley-Spicer; Carolyn and Andrew Wilson and Susan Heslop.

To donate to the cause, visit www.justgiving.com/fund raising/tina-young-2017

HospiceCare North Northumberland had its biggest-ever Great North Run, with a record number of 73 runners taking part this year.

The charity is dedicated to providing care and support to adults, carers and families, whose lives are affected by cancer and other life-limiting illnesses, and has day-therapy centres in Alnwick and Berwick.

Reservations are now open for the Great North Run 2018 with the charity.

Contact Emma on 01665 606515 or email earthur@hos picecare-nn.org.uk for more information or to reserve your place.