Hi, my name is Helen and on the 11^th September 2016 I will be running the Great North Run as part of Team Guide Dog. I have been running for over 10 years and in that time I have completed 10 Great North Runs. I love the Great North Run and I am chuffed to be running my favourite race in aid of my favourite charity.

Why the Guide Dogs

Did you know, it costs over £45,000 to train and support ONE Guide Dog throughout its working life (around 5-6 years)? 100% of this amount is funded by donations and through sponsorship. Yup, that’s right 100%.  Despite the amazing work that the Guide Dogs undertake on a daily basis, they receive NO governmental funding at all. None. Zilch. £0.00.

That is why I am running the Great North Run for the Guide Dogs, and why I am asking for your help to do so. The Guide Dogs is a charity that is very close to my heart. To date, I have completed three races in aid of
them and currently sponsor three puppies, Angel, Felix and Biscuit. 

Why am I so passionate about the Guide Dogs?

It wasn’t the cute faces of the guide dog puppies that drew
me to the Guide Dogs, but its Talking Busses Campaign which aims to make audio-visual announcements compulsory for all busses.

Why this campaign in particular? My Grandpa was blind. He suffered from glaucoma and eventually lost his sight about four years before I
was born. In a way, he was lucky as he had an amazing support network around him; he didn’t need a Guide Dog, but not everyone is as lucky. 

One of my clearest memories of my childhood with my Grandpa was taking a bus journey into Rochester. He knew the bus driver well, and he let us know when it was our stop. I remember thinking “how do others cope?” The answer, with difficulty, and 20+ years on unfortunately the answer is still the same. But with a little help from yourselves, hopefully, that will soon change.

All the money I raise for the Great North Run will go
directly to the Guide Dogs to fund their work with blind and partially sighted people. Any help you can give will be highly appreciated, by both the Guide Dogs and me.

Thank you

Helen xxx

PS: Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity. So it’s the most efficient way to donate – saving time and cutting costs for the charity.