There may be no Run, but you can still do Great for our fund

E are sure you were as disappointed as we were when we heard that this year’s Great North Run had been cancelled due to the current crisis.

The campaign raises around £25,000 for the Chronicle Sunshine Fund across the mini, junior and adult races and also gives us the chance to celebrate the dedication and hard work of all of our Team Sunshine runners!

Each year we have a designated space on the Quayside for all of our young runners and their families and we celebrate with them as they run, walk, skip and wheel across the finish line, some of them using wheelchairs and walking frames that our charity has provided.

We also have a celebration thank you event after the adult run every year so we can show our adult Team Sunshine runners just how special they are.

We know how much training, dedication and hard work goes into preparing yourself for the world’s most iconic half-marathon event and also to meet your fundraising targets so that we can continue our work with babies, children and young adults living with disabilities here in our region.

Many of our runners who had already signed up to run for us this year have already rolled over their places to next year’s event in 2021 and we are so grateful to those that have chosen to support us again.

However, the fun doesn’t have to wait until next year as the organisers of Great North Run have launched their Reimagined Virtual Run event, meaning that you can still help to support us by donning those running shoes, just in a slightly different way this September.

Great North Reimagined is your opportunity to finish what you started and complete the half-marathon this year!

On Sunday, September 13, runners from all over the country will be running 13.1 miles – however and wherever they choose.

This initiative is FREE to enter and open to all runners aged 17 and over, so you don’t need to have had a Great North Run place this year.

There is no sponsorship target, but you can still raise funds for us by getting friends, colleagues and family members to sponsor you, and every penny really does count!

If you want that fully immersive GNR experience, you can upgrade your registration (costs apply) and receive a medal.

Can’t do September 13? Not a problem!

Although you won’t be able to take part in all of the real time fun, we still appreciate you lacing up those running shoes and completing your route, your way, in honour of the children we support.

Entries open on August 3 and don’t forget, it’s free to take part, but you do need to register online at the Great North Run website.

Don’t forget to let us know if you sign up, as we want to support you every step of the way! Each runner will also receive a personalised sunshine certificate of thanks for taking part and being super supporters! Drop us a line on our website, or message us on social media. We love talking to you and can’t wait to share in your achievements.

Although fundraising and events look a little different for us this year, we’re so proud of the people in our region who are thinking outside of the box and continuing to help us on our charitable mission.