Newcaslte family complete virtual Great North Run in support of The Sick Children's Trust

A family from Whitley Bay, Newcastle, have completed a virtual Great North Run challenge raising £795 for The Sick Children’s Trust, the charity that supported them while their youngest was in hospital.

Kate Blakely along with her husband Matt, daughter Matilda, nine, and son Harry, two, all ran at least one of the 13 miles, with help from close friends and family to make up the rest of the distance. Kate and Matt were due to take part in the half marathon and when the news came that the event was cancelled, they decided to take part in The Sick Children’s Trust’s virtual event, My GNR, in a relay style. The team raised an incredible £795 as they passed a virtual baton across the country in a video shared on social media.

The family wanted to give back to the charity after it supported them with a free place to stay just minutes away from Harry’s bedside while he received treatment at Newcastle’s Freemen Hospital. Before he was born, Harry was diagnosed with a heart condition which meant he needed surgery as a baby. During this time, The Sick Children’s Trust gave his family a place to stay at its ‘Home from Home’ Scott House which made sure they were never far from his side. Kate said:

“We stayed at Scott House for ten days while Harry recovered from his operation and it was such an amazing place. The ‘Home from Home’ allowed us to stay with Harry on the ward for as long as he needed us as we only had a short walk back to our room.

“It took away all the stress of having to travel in rush hour or worry about what was happening back at home. We could be back with him instantly. Alongside giving us a place to stay, Scott House was a place Harry’s older sister Matilda could also come and stay at times too, so it kept us all together as a family. Harry has a check up every year but he is a happy, healthy two year old and doing great.

“Matt has completed the Great North Run many times before and I have always wanted to do it, so this year I pushed myself to sign up. The Sick Children’s Trust is so vital to the families they support with seriously ill children in hospital which is why we decided to take part in My GNR after the event was cancelled. After mentioning it to our friends, who are all enthusiastic runners, we decided to do the 13.1 miles as a relay team with everyone, running for a mile each to complete the distance.”

The Sick Children’s Trust does not charge families to stay at one of its ten ‘Homes from Home’ across the country, however it does cost the charity £30 to support a family for one night. £30 gives them a warm a comfortable place to stay and a friendly ear to listen. Alexia Addis, Regional Fundraising Officer, said:

“This was a wonderful way for Kate and Matt to still take part in the Great North Run and it’s great to see that the whole family got involved, especially Matilda and Harry.

“As a charity we rely entirely on the generosity our supporters to run our ‘Homes from Home’ as well as big events such as the Great North Run, which is why we cannot thank everyone enough who is took part in Kate’s relay and My GNR to help raise vital funds.”

You can find out more details about Kate’s fundraiser and donate on her JustGiving page https://www.justgiving.com/team/Teamharrybob