Care Home Staff Complete Great North Run For Charity

Staff from Barchester Healthcare’s care homes and hospitals put themselves through a gruelling challenge to complete the Great North Run in treacherous conditions, all in the name of charity. Their aim was to raise money for Barchester’s Charitable Foundation which supports older people and other adults living with a disability or mental health problems by helping them to connect or re-connect with others in their local communities.

A team of four intrepid Barchester colleagues; Gary Anson, Gavin O’Callaghan, Taylor Dowes and Tom Hodges followed the traditional half marathon route from Newcastle, through Gateshead to South Shields, marking months of training, fundraising and hard work. The day started off warmly, however, for many the celebrations were cut short by the extreme weather which took hold of the North East later that afternoon.

Of Barchester’s team of runners, Gary Anson led the way with a great time of 2h04m, closely followed by Tom Hodges who completed the race in 2h13m. The runners all had a brilliant day despite the extreme weather challenges.

The runners have been very busy fundraising and have raised a fantastic £1,675 to help older people and adults living a disability connect with others in their local community.

Chairperson of Barchester’s Charitable Foundation, Simon McCall, commented: “I am extremely proud of all of our runners and inspired by their achievement, the funds raised will help to support and connect many vulnerable and isolated people in our local communities. It is fantastic to see our colleagues going above and beyond to raise funds for the Foundation, I cannot thank them enough for their commitment.”