Raise funds for trust's charity through Great North Run

Bright, the charity of Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, has a limited number of places available for the famous half-marathon taking place this year on Sunday, September 12.

Anyone who has secured their own place through the ballot is also welcome to support Bright, which raises funds for better facilities for patients and their families alongside support for staff.

Among those taking part is the Trust’s Eleanor Grogan, a palliative medicine consultant and senior lecturer.

The 46-year-old, who lives in Whitley Bay, said: “I just needed to do something and given I had signed up for the Great North Run again, it made me really focus on running.

“When it switched to the Great Run Solo, the challenge aspect of that really appealed to me and helped me do it properly, and I found I really enjoyed it.

“I joined an online running group and that was great.

“When I really got into running, I needed some headspace and fresh air, particularly when there were so many things that we could no longer do.

"During lockdown, I didn’t feel as healthy as I normally would and felt my weight was going up, but it was definitely good for wellbeing and mental health as well as physical health.”

To obtain a Bright charity place, participants need to pay a £58 registration fee and commit to raising £200 in sponsorship.

Each runner will receive a complimentary professional running vest, support from the Bright charity team, and a post-race charity village reception for them and their family.

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