GemArts is an award winning charity that showcase diverse art, dance and music to a wide range of audiences from local schools and community centres to national concert halls and theatres. They provide support to minority groups, and bring local communities together to celebrate diversity.

The charity relies on fundraising to continue bringing arts opportunities to people from all backgrounds, and all ages, so I am running the worlds largest Half Marathon (Great North Run 2017 13.1 miles/21KM) on 10th September to help raise valuable funds for their work.

This is the first time anyone has ever ran the GNR for GemArts and I am one of only a handful that have ever ran the race for an arts based charity in the GNR's 30 year history!

For every £1 that is donated to GemArts, the Arts Council have kindly offered to match that funding, so I am aiming to raise £500 which will become £1000 funding with the Arts Council's match funding.

£1000 will make a huge difference to GemArts work with artists and communities. The money I raise will help bring free arts workshops to families in Gateshead, enable young people to take part in music making projects raising their aspirations for the future, offer a women's support group the chance to take part in glass making workshops increasing their confidence and leading to their own exhibition.

GemArts is part of Gateshead Visible Ethnic Minorities Support Group (GVEMSG). Registered Charity number 1008100