Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

I'm running the Great North Run for my friends Phil and Sally Holbrook and in aid of The Intensive Care Unit at James Cook Hospital, Cleveland.

Its the first time I've ever done The Great North Run, in fact it's the first time I've ever done any proper running! And it's the first time I've ever asked people to sponsor me but its for a good cause.

On the 23rd Decemebr last year Phil and Sally were involved in a car accident. Sadly Sally died and Phil had life threatening injuries.  For over a week he lay in a coma, close to death. His body smashed and broken by the accident, unable to breathe for himself. It was only through the expertise, care and support of the Doctors and Nurses of The Intensive Care Unit that brought Phil back to his family and friends. The same Intensive Care Unit had saved my niece's life, Alex, eight years earlier.

Phil is one of my oldest friends. I have known him since our first day of nursery. He is one of the kindest, most compassionate, funny people i know. A true gentleman. And a tradegy liked this shouldn't happen to men like him.

In Sally he had found his soul mate. They were peas in a pod,  inseparable. I was Best Man at their wedding. To go out with Phil and Sally is to be greeted with endless hellos and cherry recognition. They are so popular in the town and at Victoria Park supporting Pools. 

Phil and Sally have ran The Great North Run since it's inception and its been a joke between us that I would run it with him but I've always managed to get out of it! This year I'll be running for him.

Phil on his journey to recovery has been an inspiration, insisting on making himself clear (he couldnt speak and could barely move his arm to write) that  he wanted to wear a white shirt and a black tie, as he lay on his hospital bed  on the day of Sally's funeral.

The NHS takes such a battering and there are things that this unit really needs and the money raised will go towards that.

The doctors and nurses of The Intensive Care Unit are saving lives every day.

So I'm running for my mate, Phil, I'm running in memory of Sally and I'm running for the Intensive Care Unit at James Cook.

If you donate, thank you, if you can't, thanks for reading the page.

I'm aiming to run it in 2 hours 8 mins, the same time as Phil last year.

We'll see how it goes!

 

Paul

 

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 and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

So please dig deep and donate now.