I have decided last minute to see if I can fundraise some money for the Great North Run.

I would like to see if I can raise whatever I can for the NHS Shine fund, specifically for the Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS trust.

CNTW has had a massive impact on my life in the last two years, supporting me personally as a service user, and professionally as I explored new challenges in my career.

I have seen first hand, the benefit this money can have in the wards, paying for equipment and activities that help people take massive steps towards recovery. It helps the fabulous NHS nurses engage with patients, and improve the quality of life for those who are struggling.

I have also been inspired by the service users I worked with. I am very proud of the part I played in supporting their discharge from hospital, and proud of them for working so hard to overcome their illness.

The staff at CNTW, specifically Springrise Ward at Hopewood Park, are amazing, and offered me support as a person and a colleague, and encouraged me when I had the chance to return to education.

And the Community and Crisis team ensured I was around for my recovery to occur in the first place.

So I want to see if there is a way I can give something back, and raise some money by running my 5th Great North Run in a row.

Along the way, I have also completed the following events, in preparation.

Newcastle 10k

Quayside 5k

Newcastle-Gateshead 10k

Sunderland City Run 10k

Great North 10k

Durham 10k

Quayside 10k

I will also be completing...

Great North 5k

Mini GNR with April

Matfen 10k in September

Jarrow 10k in October

Total km for 2025 = 106

More about Shine...

SHINE make a huge difference to the experience of service users cared for in Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust's hospital sites and community services across the North East and Cumbria. Donations can provide the support for the extra things that would not be possible from funding from central government alone.