On 6 September, our girls —Nancy (8) and Maggie (4)—will lace up their trainers to run the Junior and Mini Great North Run in support of River Tees More - a charity for which I am a proud trustee.

Established in 2024, the team are dedicated to helping children and young people within the River Tees Multi-Academy Trust unlock brighter futures, going well beyond the classroom.

Funds help provide life-changing personal development activities, transition into further education and/ or employment and facilities, activities and specialist support to students across the North East. For more information, check here: https://riverteesmore.org.uk

As a trustee and a dad, I believe in the power of education and community: this run embodies exactly that.