Customs House Great North Run appeal: How you can help South Shields arts centre on 40th anniversary of GNR

Theatre bosses are appealing for Great North Runners to raise money for the Customs House at this year’s event.
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The world’s largest half marathon returns to the region to celebrate its 40th anniversary on Sunday, September 13.

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Organisers have reported a massive increase in demand from both individual runners and charities looking to secure places for fundraisers.

Dame Bella and Arbuthnot (Ray Spencer and Davey Hopper) completed the Great North Run in aid of The Customs House Trust Ltd in 2019Dame Bella and Arbuthnot (Ray Spencer and Davey Hopper) completed the Great North Run in aid of The Customs House Trust Ltd in 2019
Dame Bella and Arbuthnot (Ray Spencer and Davey Hopper) completed the Great North Run in aid of The Customs House Trust Ltd in 2019

The ballot closed on Sunday, February 9 with lucky runners finding out if they had been successful in the days afterwards.

Now the Customs House Trust has urged anyone who has secured a place in the ballot to consider running in aid of the charity, which helps fund a programme of year-round art and entertainment in South Shields.

The venue on Mill Dam is situated less than two miles away from the run’s famous finishing line on The Leas.

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Dame Bella and Arbuthnot (Ray Spencer and Davey Hopper) at the Great North Run last year.Dame Bella and Arbuthnot (Ray Spencer and Davey Hopper) at the Great North Run last year.
Dame Bella and Arbuthnot (Ray Spencer and Davey Hopper) at the Great North Run last year.

Executive Director Ray Spencer even completed the 13.1-mile race from Newcastle to South Shields in his panto costume as Dame Bella.

He was joined by on-stage son Davey Hopper, who plays Arbuthnot, who also completed the route in costume, and 14 others, including actors Steven Lee Hamilton, Luke Maddison and Kylie Ann Ford and trustee Darren Hymers.

Despite not having any designated places in this year’s event the Customs House will provide runners with a T-Shirt and will help with fundraising in the lead up to the big day.

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Marie Campbell, development officer at The Customs House, said: “Unfortunately we don’t have any of our own places this year, so we would love to hear from anyone who would like to run on our behalf.

“We’ll provide you with a T-shirt and help promote your fundraising efforts and you’ll have the satisfaction of knowing you’ve not only completed the race, but also raised money for a local charity supporting the arts and young people in South Tyneside.”

To find out more contact: [email protected].