Hi there,

I am doing the Great North Run this year in aid of St Oswald's in Newcastle.

This will be my third GNR and I am hoping to do it in my fastest time yet - and also raise more money than ever before!

I am running in memory of a very close family friend, Pauline Stephanie Jane Gray. When I first did the Great North Run in 2008, Pauline was there cheering me on at the hardest point - the 10-mile mark.

Last year we were all shocked when lively, bubbly Pauline was diagnosed with lung cancer. Just a month after her diagnosis, on the day of the Great North Run 2009, she passed away. I found out after I had finished the run. The next day, she had been due to go into St Oswald's.

This year I am running to honour Pauline, or Stephanie as she was often called, and also to support St Oswald's.

Through my work at the BBC in Newcastle I have found out about so much more of the fantastic work they do, including respite care for families with disabled children.  

Thank you for reading and please dig deep to help St Oswald's help our community here in the North East.

Your support means a lot.

Hannah X