I am running the Great North Run this September for the Graham Wylie Foundation – an incredible charitable foundation that raises money for children in my home region of the North East and is one of the few charities in EUROPE which guarantees to pass 100% of all donations to the causes it supports which protect, care for, inspire and educate children in our area.

Since its launch in 2016, The Graham Wylie Foundation has awarded money to local schools and charities from the Children’s Heart Unit to the Teenage Cancer Trust. In 2018, the Foundation funded and opened the Nordoff Robbins Music Therapy Centre in Newcastle for children with disabilities - the first dedicated centre outside of London. It will continue to fund life-transforming music therapy for the children and young people of the North East – a cause close to my heart.

This is my second time running the GNR since Mrs L and I limped around in 2009 to raise money for St Oswald’s Hospice in memory of my much-loved Mother-in-Law. I’m going to run it this time and so I’m training hard in exchange for your generous support and encouragement!