My story

Hi, my name is Gary McAdam, myself, my sons Connor and Kyle, along with close family friend, Simon Hughes will be running the Simplyhealth Great North Run Half Marathon 2019 as ‘Team McAdam’.

My wife, Mychelle McAdam, sadly passed away on 11th November 2018, aged just 47, after a short battle with cancer. As a family we received support from SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity to help deal with our loss and funeral costs.  

Simon Hughes instigated the idea to take on the Simplyhealth Great North Run in Mychelle’s memory, and to raise money for SSAFA as a thank you for all their help.

My family has a strong military background, with myself, an RAF veteran, and Connor and Kyle both currently serving in the REME corps of the Army. 

In addition, Mychelle left behind her youngest son, Kian, who was just 12 years old at the time of his mother’s death. Before she passed away, I promised to take care of Kian as if he was my own and as of the 1st May 2019, following a lengthy court-battle, I became the legal guardian / Dad of Kian.

 “The support we received from SSAFA during this difficult time was incredible. Team-McAdam are so honoured to be running The Simplyhealth Great North Run for SSAFA and helping other members of the military community who might need the same support.”