u3a members take part in The Great North Run
On Sunday 8 September, four u3a members took part in The Great North Run, the largest half-marathon in the world, to raise funds for the u3a movement.
Ashley Pinder from Wokingham u3a, Ken from Sidmouth u3a, Joyce from Newcastle u3a, and Stephen from Southport u3a have spent the last few months training for the run and fundraising in their local communities. The funds raised will support the creation of more learning and social opportunities within u3a. It will help The Third Age Trust support existing u3as and establishing new u3as in areas where they do not currently exist.
It was a rainy day for the occasion but as the runners moved from Newcastle to South Shields, their spirits were not dampened by the bad weather.
After the run, Ashley, running in memory of his parents, said, "I want to thank the u3a for giving me the opportunity to run the iconic Great North Run and raise funds for the Third Age Trust. The race has been on my wish list for years but because of the oversubscribed ballot I would possibly never have been able to get a place on my own. The support I have received from The Third Age Trust and my local u3a in Wokingham has been amazing. I hope that Team u3a has inspired other members to rise to a challenge like this in whatever sport or hobby group they belong to.
For Ken, this was his ninth Great North Run, and he’s thrilled to participate again after an eight-year break. It coincides with the 30th anniversary of the formation of his u3a in Sidmouth - so the run enabled him to mark the anniversary in a momentous way.
Joyce, a longtime Newcastle resident, was excited to represent u3a in her hometown at the run which first encouraged her to start running. And she did incredibly well - finishing fifth in her age category, of 80-90 year olds.
Meanwhile for Stephen, a Southport resident, this was a chance to give back to the organisation that enriched his life after moving to the area in 2 016.
The event is the first time that u3a members have participated in a run to raise money for the national movement. It was also an opportunity to share the movement's messages with a wider audience. Jean Cubbin, the Trustee for the North East, atttended the run along with a group of volunteers from Blyth and Whitley Bay u3as. They wore u3a tabards, handing out leaflets and speaking to the public about the impact that u3a can have on lives by encouraging people to learn new things and have fun when they are no longer in full time work.
Support our u3a runners on our fundraising page.