The Foodbank is proud every year to be involved in the iconic event that is the Great North Run – the world’s largest such race, with around 60,000 pairs of feet hitting the trail between the centre of our city and South Shields.
2025 was no exception, with 14 lining up for the Foodbank with so many others on the Central Motorway on Sunday 7 September, with the race started by NUFC Carabao Cup winners (thus legends) Nick Pope and Jacob Murphy. Nick Pope joked that he was just a ‘stand-in’ for local hero Blyth-born Dan Burn who was away on international duty with England.
As a local charity, the Foodbank may not have the traction of the big-ticket charities with supporters’ buses parked along the route, but the name recognition of an organisation directly involved in working for its local community clearly sparked great appreciation and encouragement throughout the race.
The fund-raising efforts of our runners have already harvested in excess of £8,000, to which can be added the £600 raised in under two hours at the Town Moor Parkrun the previous day – as well as the inspiring video of national fitness guru Joe Wicks thanking the Foodbank for its work, captured by the Foodbank’s own celebrity snapper (and office manager) Laura – see here!
The Great North Run is above all a celebration of the vibrant life of the city and region we call home. It is therefore a strong ‘fit’ for the many charities – including the Foodbank – that exist to support and improve the quality of life of the many residents of all ages and origins who struggle to get by. Our GNR runners, and those who have so generously supported them, have voted with their feet – literally! – and their wallets to further the cause of the Foodbank, often the place where people needing help feel most welcomed when they don’t know where to turn.
To our runners, perhaps nursing sore joints but surely basking in post-race euphoria, we say: well done and a huge ‘thank you’. And to their supporters, also, thank you, for your donations which tell us that you value the work that we are here to do, and want us to ‘keep gannin’ on’!”
