Big Pink Dress man's special plan to mark Great North Run having runners from every country

Charity fundraiser Colin Burgin-Plews '“ known for pounding the pavement in his Big Pink Dress '“ has something very different planned for this year's Great North Run.
Colin Burgin-Plews aka Big Pink Dress.Colin Burgin-Plews aka Big Pink Dress.
Colin Burgin-Plews aka Big Pink Dress.

As organisers are trying to recruit a runner from each of the 196 countries around the world, the charity champion is designing a special dress which will be adorned with flags.

The dad-of-one, from West Harton, South Shields, is asking people to buy a flag for £5 to help him raise cash for the Breast Cancer Now charity.

A rough sketch of Colin Burgin-Plews' flag-inspired dress for the Great North Run.A rough sketch of Colin Burgin-Plews' flag-inspired dress for the Great North Run.
A rough sketch of Colin Burgin-Plews' flag-inspired dress for the Great North Run.
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Colin, 47, said: “Breast Cancer Now asked if I was going to be doing anything special for my dress this year and I came up with this idea of the flags.

“I’ve even been contacted by the Great North Run people already and they’re really keen on me doing some publicity for them once my dress is ready.

“I’ve just started designing it about a week ago, but already there are more than 80 flags sponsored.

“I saw what they were trying to do with the run and thought it was something really special that had never been done before. I’m not sure what to do about the head piece yet though: maybe I’ll make a Tyne Bridge.”

Colin Burgin-PlewsColin Burgin-Plews
Colin Burgin-Plews
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Colin, who is married to Catherine, is also having a special dress created for the London Marathon, which takes place on April 24.

The sequined outfit was paid for by South Shields group Community Corner and is being made at Kitty O’Hara’s Corsetry, in the town’s Westoe Road.

The dress shop is taking extra precautions to make sure Colin stays on his feet this year.

At last year’s London Marathon, he tripped on his dress and broke his toes just a few miles into the run, but went on to finish it. The injury led to fears that he may never run again, but now he’s fighting on in his mission to support Breast Cancer Now.

The Red Arrows are seen flying over the Tyne Bridge during the 2015 Morrisons Great North Run, Newcastle.The Red Arrows are seen flying over the Tyne Bridge during the 2015 Morrisons Great North Run, Newcastle.
The Red Arrows are seen flying over the Tyne Bridge during the 2015 Morrisons Great North Run, Newcastle.
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Colin said: “They’re putting an extra-wide hoop at the bottom so I don’t trip and break my toes again.

“I can’t thank Community Corner enough for paying for the dress.”

Colin began fundraising for the charity, which funds research into the disease, after a friend was diagnosed.

l To buy a flag on Colin’s dress, go to www.virginmoneygiving.com/bigpinkdressPlease give your full name on the donation so Colin can let you know which flag is yours.