On Sunday 10th September, 60,000 people took on the iconic 13.1 mile / 21 km Great North Run in Newcastle, many in aid of charity.
As people ran in what started as unseasonably warm temperatures but ended in torrential rain and flash flooding, a staggering £25m was raised for a variety of causes.
A new world record was set, a 102 year old man completed the race as the oldest finisher ever and even Olympic champion Mo Farah was there - finishing 4th in his final professional race (congrats Mo!), but OUR heroes of the day were five incredible supporters who between them raised over £5,400 for Open Arms!
Thank you Robert, Fiona, Alan, Lindsay and Bev!
Couples Robert & Fiona and Alan & Lindsay all ran as a team for Open Arms this year.
Each of them have been training and fundraising for months, not only raising awareness of Open Arms but raising a huge amount for the children in Malawi.
They are delighted to have completed such a challenge and described the Great North Run as a day they'll never forget, with an incredible atmosphere.
Bev's 2019 trip to Open Arms Infant Homes left a lasting impression. Of her experience, she shares, "The work Open Arms do for babies and children of Malawi is so important, and I watch in awe as the team take into care the most vulnerable, nourish and watch them flourish into beautiful children."
"I absolutely love raising money for Open Arms. I think because I have been to Malawi, have experienced first-hand the amazing work being done and understand the challenges the people of Malawi face everyday, for me its just a natural thing to do."
Bev supports us in a number of ways - through child sponsorship, inspired fundraising (from making and selling stunning crocheted bags to participating in challenge events!) and by being a much-valued ambassador for our charity. She has just done the GNR in support of Open Arms for the second year in a row (4th time in total!) and we are so very grateful for her devotion and support!
Including Gift Aid, these fabulous five raised over £6,500! This amount will go such a long way in Malawi, providing several months of lifesaving formula milk and medicine for all the babies in Blantyre and Mangochi Infant Homes.
Thank you so much Robert, Fiona, Alan, Lindsay and Bev for giving these children the best chance to survive their infancy, grow healthily, reach important developmental milestones and look forward to a future at home with a loving family.
It is not easy fundraising for the same charity year after year, but Bev continues to do so with tenacity and creativity - this year, selling raffle tickets as part of her fundraising to win a beautiful crocheted blanket that she herself made by hand. What a multi-talented lady!
If you've been inspired by our fundraising heroes this year and interested in taking on the Great North Run in 2024 (Sunday September 8th), please let us know by emailing hello@openarmsmalawi.org.
Not only will you gain the experience of a lifetime, but you will help to build brighter futures for some of Malawi's most vulnerable children.
You won't regret it!
“"When walking to the start pen of the GNR you immediately get such a rush of excitement and enthusiasm that you forget you have to run 13 miles to the end. Once you pass the start line, this excitement just grows and the energy you feel from the lovely people of Newcastle is something you want to bottle and take home. From start to finish you will love every moment, again forgetting the miles you are running. You're doing all this remembering that each step is for Open Arms Malawi, for those babies, children and carers who give so much!! One of the best days of your life."” - Bev, 2023 GNR finisher
Your donation will help children in Malawi grow up healthy with the love of a family
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