NHS charity in plea for support from runners
FOR GREAT
THE charity which helps support hospitals and NHS staff across Northumberland and North Tyneside is calling for willing athletes to take on the Great North Run and help fundraise this year.
The Northumbria Healthcare NHS Trust’s Bright charity – like many others – has a limited number of places available for people who want to take part in the iconic half-marathon. All you need to do is pay a £59 registration fee and commit to raising £200 – oh, and run 13.1 miles.
The GNR takes place on September 11 this year – and the Northumbria Healthcare NHS Trust chief exec Sir James Mackey has called on those who may be considering the event to take the plunge in a way that supports our NHS heroes. Sir James, recently highlighted as the sixth most influential person in the UK’S health world, said: “The Great North Run is a fantastic event and a wonderful example of the kind of community spirit we have in the North East.
“As well as being a special day and a good challenge for many, it also raises much-needed funds for charities such as our very own Bright charity, which does such a great job in providing additional support for patients and staff.”
He added that, with the trust also part of a national Active Hospitals pilot scheme – which is designed to encourage patients and staff to become more active – it was a good chance to remember
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“how important physical activity is for our health and wellbeing”.
The hospital boss added: “Every movement counts so you don’t have to be a runner, but if you are and fancy taking on the Great North Run, your support for Bright would be very gratefully received.”
The Bright charity, like other NHS charities around the region, helps fund “little extras” and vital support for NHS staff and patients that might not find funding through official budgets. There are other ways to support the charity too – such as taking part in the NHS Big Tea event on July 5.
That’s the 74th anniversary of the NHS’ creation, and people around the region are invited to host their own NHS Big Tea event on the day. The initiative is led by the NHS Charities Together collective, and last year raised more than £500,000. Ellie Orton, chief executive at NHS Charities Together, said: “The NHS can’t face every challenge alone and the network of NHS charities is proud to have funded hundreds of incredible projects supporting staff, patients and communities.”