We are running to help homeless 16-24 year olds get back on their feet.  Quite literally - as The Running Charity helps vulnerable young people to set personal goals and build self-believe.  90% of young people who graduate from The Running Charity's running programmes secure accommodation, employment or training.

visit www.therunningcharity.org to read more for yourself.  It's a remarkable young charity.

Running is often thought to be 'free' - but as we all know, kit is expensive and fears for safety can be prohibitive.  The Running Charity provides vulnerable young people with kit - and more importantly a safe group of friends and likeminded people to train with.  For a homeless young person, the confidence building benefits are transformational.

Personally, running is my therapy and I know the benefits it can have on mind and body, which is why I'm so passionate about the work of this charity.   

This will be my 11th Great North Run  - and I'm running it with my uncle in mind, as he's the person who first encouraged me to pound the pavements.  He sadly left this earth this year, and I learned only at his funeral that he'd been a passionate volunteer for vulnerable young people's causes in the North East - so I'm sure that he'd think of The Running Charity as a fitting cause.   Thanks so much for donating.