Dig Deep 2021 is about raising the money we need to help Gateshead families to not just survive, but to turn their lives around. When 1 in 5 children in Gateshead are living in poverty, life expectancy for people living in poorer wards is as much as 15 years less than average, and we're facing escalating deaths from substance mis-use, an insatiable demand for food banks, charity and mental health services, it really is time to act .At Citizens Advice Gateshead we have committed to doing everything in our power to stand up for equality and strive for a fair society for all, with lives well lived. It's rare that people will turn down support when it's offered to them, but with an almost daily increase in demand for our charitable services, and continually diminishing funds, although we have the know-how we are restricted by the practical capacity we need to really make a difference.

I work as a Social Welfare Adviser for Citizens Advice Gateshead. I currently work at a local hub in Gateshead so I have seen first hand both the problems facing some Gateshead residents and the difference our work can make. 

Citizens Advice Gateshead is an independent local charity that provides free, confidential and impartial advice, information, advocacy and guidance to those who need it most.

The charity helped over 12,000 people from Gateshead in the last 12 months, and put £7.8m in their pockets. Most importantly, we helped to change their lives for the better. 

We rely on donations from local people and  businesses to keep our services running. I am aiming to raise £200 for the charity but would be delighted if I could exceed this! 

As an example of where your donation may go, it costs the charity around £250 to train a volunteer to give life changing help and advice to the residents of Gateshead. During their time with us, a volunteer adviser will help and advise around 1000 people. 

I'd be really grateful to anyone who would be willing to make a donation towards my efforts to complete the all new, one time only Great North Run route on 12 September. Any donations will be much appreciated, please feel free to come along and cheer us on!