Meet the Great North Run’s ‘everyday heroes’
PARENTS OF ALICE RUGGLES ARE AMONG INSPIRATIONAL RUNNERS
ALMOST two years after the devastating murder of their daughter, Alice Ruggles’ parents will take on the Great North Run as they campaign to keep her memory alive.
Alice, who moved to Newcastle for university, was just 24 when she was murdered in Gateshead in October 2016 by her ex-boyfriend Trimaan Dillon who stalked and abused her.
Since the loss of their daughter, her mum and dad Sue Hills and Clive Ruggles, have channelled their grief into something positive through The Alice Ruggles Trust.
The couple, from Leicester, set up the trust to raise awareness of stalking and to educate organisations and the public about its consequences.
Now, they are preparing to take on the Simplyhealth Great North Run on September 9 in their daughter’s memory.
This year the event is celebrating everyday heroes, people who give back to their communities and inspired those around them with their dedication and perseverance.
Clive and Sue are one of seven Local Heroes picked for this year’s event.
Here we look at the individuals who are inspiring their communities:
SUE HILLS AND CLIVE RUGGLES, LEICESTER
Clive, a professor, and Sue, a retired teacher, have been campaigning for stalking laws such as the Stalking Protection Bill to be amended in Parliament.
They are working with the National Stalking Consortium to try and create a stalkers register, so serial offenders would be flagged up.
The couple also use their experience to educate the general public, the police and the judiciary.
They were approached by the police to deliver group talks to officers to help identify the problems with investigating stalking and the changes that can be made.
ALEX OLIVER, DURHAM
The former boxer is head coach at Brandon Boxing Club, which has almost 150 members at a new purpose-built facility in the County Durham town.
He retired from competition in 2009 when his daughter Kara-Mai was born. He’s since directed his efforts into building the club alongside wife Michelle.
It now offers 20 classes a week to the community and is known widely for its inclusivity.
Kara-Mai, eight, has Down’s Syndrome and autism, and along with schoolmates attends the club’s Rookies class, an all-inclusive fun boxing class.
Alex’s efforts have been recognised when he was named in this year’s New Year’s Honours List, being awarded with the British Empire Medal for his services to the community.
JOHN MAUGHAN, SOUTH SHIELDS
John, 50, is a member of the South Shields Volunteer Life Brigade, a search and rescue unit along the seafront which covers the entire finish area of the Great North Run.
Just three volunteers life brigades remain in the country and John will be running his first Great North Run to raise funds and awareness for the registered charity. He also works full-time alongside his duties as a life brigade volunteer, which he joined almost five years ago after seeing a post about them on social media.
CLAIRE COULTHARD, STOCKTON
Claire is taking part in the run as part of her role as leader of a peer support group to help people with mental health problems through exercise.
She sought help for her own mental health issues after attempting suicide in 2017. The mum of two has gone on to volunteer for Mind, the mental health charity.
Her group, Red Balloons, started in February 2018 and has grown to help more than 600 people online, while Claire leads sessions to around 10 people weekly face to face, with that number expected to grow.
PAUL WILSON, WAKEFIELD
Paul will be raising funds for the Dark Horse Theatre Company, a national touring theatre company based in Huddersfield who provide training and acting opportunities for learning disabled actors.
The 42-year-old, who has Down’s Syndrome and is an actor at Dark Horse, decided to take part in the run after the theatre called out for volunteers to raise vital funds for the registered charity in order to provide greater training opportunities and to organise more productions.
Paul has never taken part in a half marathon but has competed at the Special Olympics where he has won
a range of medals in his specialism of power-lifting.
PETE WALLROTH, GLOSSOP
When Pete Wallroth’s wife Mair was 22 weeks pregnant, she discovered a lump on her breast and was diagnosed with cancer.
She began chemotherapy during her pregnancy and received another cycle just six days after the birth of the couple’s second child, Merlin.
Following her seventh session, the family were given the devastating news that the cancer had spread and was untreatable. Mair passed away in December 2012.
Pete then set up a network of support that would make a difference to families who found themselves in the same position.
Mummy’s Star was born and the charity aims to provide support and advice on pregnancy and post-natal cancer diagnosis, advocacy to support families and emergency grants for those who are affected.
It is the only charity of its kind in the UK and Ireland.
DAMIAN GIBSON, HALIFAX
Damian is lead trainer for the Home Run Project, a new programme that has transformed the lives of more than 20 people from across Calderdale, Yorkshire.
The Home Run project is a running group created to support people with issues associated with homelessness including depression, drug and alcohol addiction and those seeking asylum.
These people have been given the opportunity to train once a week for the last year with Damian, with the end goal of taking part in the Great North Run.
An ex-professional Rugby League player with Leeds Rhinos turned personal trainer from Halifax, Damian was approached to get involved with the Home Run project by SmartMove and Calderdale College, where his business is based.