Meet the Runner: Peter Oliver

The countdown is on for the Great North Run and Foundation of Light are catching up with some of those running in aid of the charity this year.

International journalist Peter Oliver is looking forward to returning to the North East to run for Sunderland AFC’s official charity after learning about their efforts to tackle the statistic of one in three children living in poverty.

Through the Wear One campaign, Foundation of Light are rallying to Sunderland community to give a hand up to those in need and giving individuals the tools and opportunities they need to enhance their quality of life.

“I’ve done the Great North Run a few times and previously run it for a couple of Alzheimer’s charities,” Peter reflected on his decision to run for Foundation of Light.

“I remember seeing an article doing the rounds, it caught my eye a few times then I saw Frankie Francis share it, about one in three kids in Sunderland living in poverty.

“It was one of those things, I went ‘nah, that can’t be right,’ so you start looking it up and see that it’s actually true.

“I’ve been lucky enough to travel the World for my work, and I’ve also been to some horrific places, war zones, so I never expected to see a stat like that relating to my hometown.

“I’ve read a bit more about it, about how the Foundation of Light is doing something and is involved in trying to put that right. So, I got in touch with Frankie, although I already had a place for the run, and asked him to put me in touch with the Foundation.”

Peter's Fundraiser - JustGiving

Now settled in Germany where he reports on European Politics and business news, Peter’s affection for the North East shines through in his pride to represent a charity changing lives across the region.

“I’ve lived more of my life outside the North East than I ever did in it, I’ve lived more of my life outside the UK than in the UK,” Peter explained in a soft but unmistakable County Durham accent.

“But I’ll always be from Sunderland and I still sound like this, I have no intention of ever changing it.

“I see as well from outside that the impact that the club, when it’s doing well, has on the people in the city.

“When I call home, I can literally hear it in my family’s voices. When I come home, I see it in the way the city looks, and the way that people look around the city.

“It’s made a massive difference this summer. The way the promotion came about has just sparked it all even more.

“The Foundation of Light provides a way to funnel that good feeling around the club to get what is needed to where it’s needed.

“I wouldn’t have seen that statistic about children in poverty if it hadn’t been for the Foundation of Light.”

The journalism career that has taken Peter across the World started with work experience for Sunderland AFC Fanzine, A Love Supreme.

Still a passionate Black Cats fans from afar, regularly appearing on the What The Falk podcast, he is relishing the chance to run for their official charity.

“This is the closest I will ever get to representing Sunderland AFC at any level,” he laughed

“But also, being able to do something for a charity that is helping the North East, because I love the North East, is also very special.

“In a couple of weeks’ time, just before the Great North Run, my mother-in-law is visiting form Shanghai. One of the things on her itinerary to see is the Stadium of Light.

“I found myself being a bit evangelical about the club and the region. It’s a nice way to be at the moment.”

Though an experienced long distance runner, including completing several Great North Runs, Peter is expecting a struggle towards the South Shields finishing line this time around.

On his training, he confessed: “It’s gone terribly. Two years ago, I run the Berlin Marathon and tore my gluteus maximus. It’s never really healed properly.

“I’ve struggled through training, doing most of it on a bike. Then three months ago, a wheelie bin fell over on my foot and broke my toe, which put me back a little bit as well.

“I’ve done as much training as I possibly can. This is not going to be anywhere near quick, but it will get done!”

To donate to Peter's fundraiser, click the following link: Peter George Oliver JustGiving