Horbury volunteers raise thousands for local project after crossing Great North Run finish line

The team tackled the famous 13.1-mile course from Newcastle to South Shields on Sunday (September 13) to raise vital funds for the project.

The brave volunteers completed the biggest half marathon in the world alongside 63,000 other runners, including PM Andy Burnham and Wakefield’s own Chris Kamara.

Hannah Standage was the first from the team to cross the finish line, in an impressive time of one hour 45 minutes.

Volunteer Jackie Walter, completed the race for the 17th time – having run every year since the group started putting in a team.

Colin Sweatman, Kirsty Cronin and Harriet Gavan-Duffy also completed the difficult race, despite a few injuries.

Another regular runner, Matthew Shaw, injured his achilles before the race and couldn’t run but, undeterred, he spoke to his sponsors and did a marathon length row instead.

The funds raised by sponsorship of the runners in the race and the row, is expected to raise over £2,500 when all money is collected.

It will help the project to continue to support young people in Horbury and the surrounding area, and to drive forward the project’s mantra to never give up on any young person.

John Walter, business manager at Horbury Churches Together, team driver and race co-ordinator said: ““The project is very grateful for all support and a big thanks go to our team once again who have trained and fundraised over many months to make this fundraiser happen.”

To support Horbury Churches Together, or to donate the the fundraiser visit: https://www.horburybreakthrough.com/