The Alan Shearer Centre is a very special place to our family. Isla used to attend because of her physical health needs, and she even had her very first birthday party there. We all loved and benefited from the hydropool especially. As Isla got a little older and made little bits of progress, we reached a point where we felt we might be able to use community pools which would mean more space for another children and family who might need it more. But we’ve never forgotten just how brilliant, special and inspiring the Centre is, and how much places like this matter.

Isla has already completed four Mini Great North Runs, each around 0.75 miles. This year she’s taking on something much bigger.... her first Junior Great North Run: 2.5 miles!

Because of Isla’s health and physical capacity, we genuinely don’t know what those 2.5 miles will look like. She might run some, jog some, walk some, and there may even be a bit of being carried by Dad along the way.

What we do know is that she’ll be determined to get to that finish line...and that Dad will probably need a pint afterwards ❤️

And while she does it, she’d love to raise as much money as possible for the Alan Shearer Foundation, helping the Centre become bigger and better and allowing even more children and families to benefit from this amazing place. One of the things the Foundation is hoping to fund is a second hydrotherapy pool, increasing what the Centre can offer to families.

Every donation, however small, would mean a huge amount to Isla and to us.

The Foundation’s message is “Raise Your Hand to Help” -which feels particularly fitting for a little Newcastle fan (occasionally by choice) planning an Alan Shearer celebration when she crosses that finish line! 🙋‍♀️🖤🤍

We hope that a lot of people can give a tiny amount and help her reach her fundraising goal...it would mean so much to a true Geordie footballing legend.

And to Alan Shearer as well🖤🤍

Come on Isla! 🏃‍♀️🖤🤍