Great North Run 2025

Hey up everyone,

I’ll be running the Great North Run in September 2025! I’ll be running in order to raise support for Cancer Research UK and the Stroke Association. These are two amazing charities that raise awareness for the impact both Cancer and Strokes have on those who suffer from them and how it affects those around them as well. This page will have the fundraiser for Cancer Research attached where as the Stroke Association will be attached to my Great North Run profile.

Cancer is a vicious condition where cells in a specific part of the body grow and reproduce at an uncontrollable rate. These cells can then invade and destroy healthy tissue in the body; including organs. This destroys the lives of those who suffer from cancer and those around them.

Cancer Research's goal is working towards how we can prevent, diagnose and treat cancer which has benefited millions over the last 120 years. Their ultimate goal is to beat cancer all together.

Unfortunately this condition has unfortunately run rife in my family for years with my Uncle, Cousin, Grandma and Granddad all having suffered from it. Thankfully my Uncle and Cousin kicked cancers ass!! Yet unfortunately my Granddad lost his battle with cancer in 2008 as did my Grandma Christmas time last year. They both put up a bloody good fight though and I'll always be proud to be their Grandson. This awful illness has also affected family members of some of my closest friends.

Now to the main reason I'll be raising money for Cancer Research...Reece you're up bro.

Reece and I have been friends for over 10 years now having met at the very start of Year 10 at Ashby School. We quickly became close mates after this and spent the majority of Year 11 messing around in Science and PE but still managed to get pretty solid grades. When we turned 18 I went off to Sheffield for uni and Reece was up basically every week to come out with us lot in Sheffield. Reece is always the absolute life and soul of the party and brings joy to every room he's in...also loves a rave. However, last year after Reece had just finished uni himself he spoke to me and multiple others about having multiple painful headaches and spots in his memory. Initially it was put down to drinking too much at festivals etc. The headaches became severe even when he was sober so at the point he went to the doctors. After tests and an MRI it was discovered Reece had a brain tumour and within two weeks he had an operation. This tumour got worse over these two weeks and what should've been a 5 hour operation turned into a 12 hour one which resulted in the removal of the tumour but also a part of his skull. After a long recovery he found out the tumour was indeed cancerous and underwent radiotherapy treatment which he absolutely smashed through whilst keeping that big grin on his face.

After completing treatment he has had to learn to read properly again and slowly build back up his day to day activities. To the point where a few months ago he completed the 20 mile Edale skyline challenge an immense achievement!! Along with being his joyful smiley self once again! He has another operation coming in November to put a metal plate in his skull or as Reece says give him a 'whole head again'. Reece is a prime example that cancer can be beaten and I am both immensely proud and privileged to be one of your closest mates.

I'll be running this on behalf of Reece (who's gunna be there at there at the finish line), my Grandma Bridie, my Granddad Bill, Uncle Kevin and cousin Matt. Along with this before I run I will be writing the names of those I know and their family's affected by cancer on my arms to run in their honour as well. Please donate where you can as this vicious condition truly is something that needs to be beaten!

Thank you,

Harry x