Foundation of Light runners gear up for Great North Run

It’s officially Great North Run week with 60,000 runners set to take on the iconic run from Newcastle to South Shields this Sunday.

Amongst them will be several runners from the Foundation of Light, raising awareness and funds while taking on the 13.1 miles in our 11^th year taking part in the event.

There are 20 runners taking part for the Foundation of Light, including a familiar face to many Sunderland AFC supporters.

Frankie Francis

Sunderland AFC matchday commentator and Frankie & The Heartstrings frontman, Frankie Francis, will be running for SAFC’s official charity yet again.

A regular runner and fundraiser for the Foundation of Light, the support of such a known figure on Wearside has provided crucial visibility for our Great North Run efforts.

McNally and Thompson

Sunderland-based electrical contractors McNally and Thompson have six runners taking part for the Foundation of Light, including Abbie Hood, Ben Walker, Josh Brown, Andrew McPherson, Alex Loraine, and Andy Courtney.

Taking part in her first event since taking up running, Abbie Hood said: “I am proud to support the Foundation of Light and their work improving the lives of people across the North East and am determined to make my first run a meaningful one.”

Phil Randle

Phil is finally taking part in the Great North Run after threatening to take on the challenge for years. In his fundraising profile for the Foundation of Light, Phil says:

“With 40 rapidly approaching it's time to get my finger out and conquer the 13.1 miles.  I've been saying, "I'll do it next year" for ages but I have now put my big boy pants on and signed up with some help from the Foundation of Light.

“They do great work and have provided all kinds of support for my little ones.  Most recently, my Marfs has been tearing it up with Foundation's PDC.  For anyone who knows us, it was a pretty obvious choice!”

Jack Nayak

Jack is running for the Foundation of Light for the third year in a row. On taking on the challenge again, Jack says on his fundraising profile:

“The Great North Run has turned in to be one of my favourite days of the year. The atmosphere along the whole course is incredible and the support from everyone really helps to push me along those final few miles.

“The long training runs leading up to the big day always seem worth it when I get to run along the John Reid Road wearing my Foundation of Light T-shirt. 

“As you all know, Sunderland AFC is very close to my heart so it is a real honour to be able to run knowing the positive impact it has on the region.”

Foundation of Light Staff

Amongst those running for Sunderland AFC’s official charity are several staff members of the Foundation, including Jake Leighton and Kyle Ritchie for the second consecutive year alongside newcomers Olly Collinson, Alex Bagher, and Phil Hubbard.

Fundraising profiles for all Foundation of Light runners can be found via the following link:

Enthuse – Foundation of Light

How your money can help:

• £5 gives a disabled youngster access to a sport session 
• £8 helps keep an older person physically and socially active 
• £40 supports a young person with their physical and emotional health
• £100 provides mental health resources for up to five people