Company bosses go on the run to help raise £3k for cancer charity
Bosses at a Boldon-based firm have raised over £3,000 for cancer support charity, Daft as a Brush.
Husband and wife directors at Paul and Kay Smith at HLA Services raised the cash by taking part in the Great Run North, to raise money for the charity – after Kay recently overcame breast cancer for the second time.
Six months after the end of her final treatment and determined to raise funds, Kay and Paul crossed the finish line in an impressive 2 hours 15 minutes.
Daft as a Brush offers cancer patient care, provides free transport to and from the Freeman and RVI hospitals for outpatients undergoing chemotherapy and or radiotherapy treatment.
Paul Smith, director at HLA Services, said: “It was a very proud moment for us to take part in the 40th Great North Run and even more amazing that months after completing treatment.
"Kay was ready and determined to take part in a half marathon.
"Kay is also a volunteer companion for Daft as a
Brush and it is a charity very close to our hearts.”
He added: “Kay deserves to be recognised for her great efforts in supporting cancer charities, having previously run to raise money for Cancer Research following her first bout of the terrible disease.
"As a family, we have witnessed at first hand how beneficial it is to have external support and we wanted to give something back.
“Thank you to all our supporters, many of them suppliers, clients and friends to HLA Services.
"Their support frankly took our breath away.”
Brian Burnie, founder and trustee at Daft as a Brush Cancer Patient Care, said: “We’re always thrilled when runners support Daft us by raising funds to help cancer patients get to and from hospital, free of charge.
“Paul and Kay have raised an unbelievable £3,110.
"This will power five of our ambulances for a whole month – just think how many cancer patients have been supported by this achievement.
“I’d like to thank all of our Great North Runners for their efforts, especially in light of the extremely difficult 18 months we have all endured.