Here at True Potential we’re all very excited for the Great North Run, where eighteen of our colleagues will be running to raise funds for The Sunshine Fund.

This is a fantastic cause, The Chronicle Sunshine Fund provides specialist equipment for children with disabilities or special needs, to improve the quality of their lives. The fund is helping North East children in special schools, learning units, hospitals and also individual families.

Our team will be hoping to fundraise £5,000. You can donate and learn more about this great cause here.

This is a charity that True Potential supports year round and has done so for many years. In previous Great North Runs we’ve managed to raise over £2,500, and in total True Potential donated over £13,000 to The Sunshine Fund in 2020.

Our eighteen runners have been putting in the miles with months of training in preparation for the 13 mile half marathon, and you’ll be able to learn more about their stories by following our social media channels in the coming week. Follow our Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram.

Our colleagues at True Potential will also be supporting the children at the Mini Great North Run, with our staff on hand as volunteers to assist with the marshalling of the junior race. If you are at either the Mini Great North Run or Great North Run then look out for our team in their bright yellow Sunshine Fund t shirts.

Speaking about True Potential’s fundraising efforts, Chief Executive Daniel Harrison said

“I’m delighted to see the enthusiasm of our staff’s training and fundraising efforts for the Great North Run. The Sunshine Fund is a fantastic cause which we have supported for many years here at True Potential, and I’ve seen first hand the difference this charity is making to the lives of children with disabilities. I’m looking forward to Great North Run weekend and cheering everyone on!”

Erin Todd, Sunshine Fund Fundraising and Events Co-Ordinator, said

“We are so excited to be working with True Potential on our Great North Run campaign again this year. They have been amazing supporters of ours over the years, and we are so grateful for their fundraising efforts on our behalf. Their donations have allowed us to change the lives of several children living with disabilities and terminal illnesses across the North East; for this we are eternally grateful. 

We are particularly looking forward to welcoming the True Potential volunteers back to our tent on Newcastle Quayside for Mini and Junior Great North Run. We are the only charity with a presence on the Quayside on the day, which always makes it that little bit more special for our runners and their supporters. If you’re in the area on the day, come and say hello! You’ll find us at Urban Garden in our bright yellow T-Shirts as we attempt to paint to toon yellow!”

And representing our team of runners, and aiming for a time of two hours at the Great North Run, Esther McAusland, Group Executive Assistant, said

“The support you get along the way with the crowds cheering you on really makes such a difference as well as seeing runners of all backgrounds and abilities giving it their all – it really spurs you on.”

This is the third year that Esther has run for the Chronicle Sunshine Fund and she can’t wait to pull on the yellow vest.

“I’m really proud to be one of the True Potential team running for the Sunshine Fund. They make such an important difference to so many people’s lives to help them reach their own potential so I hope we can raise a lot of money for them and have some great fun over the whole Great North Run weekend.”

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