I was really fortunate to be looked after by a dedicated team of professionals working as a team in the Intensive Care Unit of Darlington Memorial Hospital during the first wave of Coronovirus in March of last year. I promised I would do the GNR for them when it resumed and even with long covid issues, I am going for it. They deserve our support and a treat for treating people like me, and countless others, so well. I am the first person to come out of the ICU the right way after contracting this awful virus. I won't be the last and they have helped countless others who arrived gasping for breath and leaving owing a debt of gratitude that no words can adequately express.

My wife and her friend Sarah are doing this half marathon with me in aid of the Great North Air Ambulance, another of many worthy causes running on the same day. If you have anything to spare then they would so appreciate any donation. Thank you so much. You never know when you will need the emergency services and helping them gather and rebuild their team, however they choose to do so, will remind them that a grateful public appreciates their sacrifices of time, effort and teamwork. Here is their link:

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/sarah-holmes70?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=fundraising&utm_content=sarah-holmes70&utm_campaign=pfp-share&utm_term=c988efbe71004c9684aa0009f3d2d13f