A week on from this year’s Great North Run, thousands of people across the North East will still be reflecting on an extraordinary day – the miles covered, the crowds, the atmosphere and, perhaps, some aching legs.
For charities and community organisations across our region, however, the impact of the Great North Run stretches far beyond the 13.1-mile route from Newcastle to South Shields. In this blog, our Engagement Officer, Johurun, shares VONNE's member voices from this historic event.
Every year, VONNE members are part of what makes the event so special. They support runners, welcome volunteers, share stories, raise vital funds and use the occasion to connect more people with the causes and communities at the heart of their work.
We asked our members what the Great North Run means to them. Their responses told a powerful story about the strength of our VCSE sector – and the people who make it what it is.
Every runner has a story
Behind every fundraising page, running vest and finish-line photo is a story.
For Teesside Mind, this year’s team included first-time runners, long-standing supporters and people with deeply personal reasons for taking part. Together, they raised almost £30,000 to support mental health services across Teesside.
As Claire Pitt, Fundraising Manager at Teesside Mind, reflected:
“It’s not just the fundraising, it’s all the awareness our runners raise along their fundraising journeys, through every conversation they have too. It all helps make a difference for better mental health in Teesside.”
For Children North East, one particularly special story came from Elsie, who received support from the organisation as a child and decided to take on the Great North Run to give something back.
For Elsie, the challenge reflected how far she had come and the confidence she had developed:
“I wanted to support a charity who got me to where I am today and gave me the confidence within myself to take on a challenge like the Great North Run.”
It’s a wonderful example of the long-term difference VCSE organisations can make. Support received at one point in someone’s life can create connections that endure for years – and sometimes inspire people to come back and support others.
Raising awareness and creating new connections
Of course, the money raised through the Great North Run matters enormously. For charities facing rising demand and continued financial pressures, every pound can help sustain vital services.
But our members were also clear that the benefits don’t stop with fundraising.
Durham County Carers Support told us how the event helps deepen relationships with supporters and provides an opportunity to show how their fundraising makes a difference to unpaid carers across County Durham.
Smart Works Newcastle similarly highlighted the way fundraising challenges can turn supporters into advocates, introducing their work and mission to entirely new audiences.
Daft as a Brush Cancer Patient Care summed this up:
“The impact of the Great North Run goes further than fundraising. It brings people together, raises awareness of our work and introduces our organisation to people who may never have heard of us before.”
Those conversations and connections matter. Every person who sponsors a colleague, asks about a charity on a running vest or stops at a charity tent has the opportunity to discover more about the organisations working in communities across our region.
Challenging perceptions and celebrating achievement
The Great North Run can also provide a powerful platform for challenging perceptions about what people can achieve.
Gym Possible, which supports people with physical disabilities and neurological conditions, told us:
“The event has become a really important one for Gym Possible, both for fundraising and for showcasing what people with physical disabilities can achieve.”
For Key Enterprises, this year brought a particularly important milestone. Although the charity has had runners taking part for several years, this was the first time one of its service users had taken on the challenge.
“Our charity has had runners in the Great North Run for a number of years, but this year was the first time that one of our service users has taken on, (and smashed!) the challenge. We are all incredibly proud of Scott for taking on the challenge and raising much needed funds for our service.”
These achievements matter far beyond race day. They build confidence, challenge assumptions and show what can be possible when people have the right opportunities and support around them.
Richard’s Great North Run: running for a cause close to home
The Great North Run story is part of VONNE’s own team too.
This year, VONNE Health Partnerships Strategic Manager Richard Boggie completed his third Great North Run, alongside his guide runner, Laura.
Richard’s previous runs raised money for Retina UK and Newcastle Vision Support. This year, he chose to support VONNE member Smile for Life Children’s Charity, raising more than £500.
Richard said:
“I am a regular visitor to their Café Beam on Gosforth High Street. As well as loving their food, I’ve always been hugely impressed with the work they do, providing young disabled and disadvantaged people with great work experience in the heart of their community. I know that keeping this business running must be a real challenge, so was glad to do my bit to support them this year.”
As a blind runner, Richard takes part alongside a guide. The pair were able to start shortly after the elite women, before the main field of runners, helping them to navigate the course safely.
And, like so many of the stories our members shared, Richard’s experience was defined by the people around him.
“The crowds were amazing once again, and their support is what makes this race really special. This was especially true this year, as the glorious sunshine made the going tough, so shout-outs, ice-pops, sponges and sprinklers were all much appreciated.”
At the finish, there was another reminder of the relationships at the heart of the day.
“At the end of the race, it was great to visit the team from Smile for Life at the charity village, where we were treated to drinks, cakes and even a quick massage.
“All-in-all, an amazing, challenging and satisfying experience that will live long in the memory.”
At the heart of the North East
That sense of connection came through again and again in what our members told us.
The Great North Run brings together runners, charities, volunteers, families, friends and thousands of people lining the streets. Communities across the region become part of something shared, and those connections continue long after the race is finished.
And with over £25 million raised collectively, the money will help organisations continue doing the work that inspired people to run for them in the first place.
Reflecting on this year’s event, Great North Run Founder and President Sir Brendan Foster described the Great North Run as being “at the Heart of the North East”.
The stories shared by VONNE members show exactly why.