As some of you may know I'm running the Great North Run later this year. I was due to run it last year but due to covid the race had to be carried over and should *hopefully* go ahead in September.

South Shields is where the race finishes, and the seaside town holds a special place in my heart. Being the hometown of my grandparents I've spent many summers there throughout my life and continue to get up there as much as I can. It was in South Shields (South Tyneside Hospital) ICU department where my Grandad spent the last few weeks of his life in 2017, and where he was the last time I ever spoke to him.

I'm running the Great North Run in his memory and raising funds for the amazing team at South Tyneside's ICU to support the fantastic work they do. Being that the department is quite small, I imagine they have all been rushed off their feet throughout the past year helping patients throughout the pandemic.

Now I'm no runner, that was my Grandad's domain, but it has always been something on the bucket list, and with the finish line in my favourite place on earth it was always a no-brainer. I don't plan on running this more than once so please support me if you can to help me reach my fundraising target. I promise you'll see a million pictures of me to prove I've done it, and I'll be wearing my finishers t-shirt until it walks itself to the wash!