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Feature Charity

Spinal Research

At the start of a New Year, runners in the north of England are looking forward to what they'd like to achieve in 2010. Many of you will be thinking about the Great North Run or a marathon later in the year or possibly, the new kilomathon event being run between Nottingham and Derby in March. Newer runners or 'resolution' runners who maybe have limited experience or haven't run in a serious event before will also be taking a look at the www.northernrunningguide.com race listing and wondering - could I do that?

One way to galvanise your resolve in April or May when all those January promises seem so far away is to consider supporting a good cause and running for charity. An active charity in the north of England is Spinal Research and we asked one enthusiastic supporter why that was her good cause of choice.

Sally Weston is a Great North Run regular - the Durham woman has now completed the iconic event 7 times. Her love affair with the race started when Sally was in her early 50's and keen to be part of the big occasion. She enjoyed training over the summer months and loved the atmosphere on race day:
"It was very moving to see so many people supporting good causes, many showing details of the friends and family they were remembering or helping. It was also inspiring to be part of such a large field of runners - so good-natured and encouraging of each other; and also to feel that you were doing something positive for your chosen charity."

In 2006 however, Sally's commitment to a particular good cause became hugely personal when her son, Will, had a serious diving accident which left him paralysed from the shoulders down. It was a devastating blow for the bright medical student; and also for Sally:
"Will's injury meant that he had to give up medical studies and face a very uncertain future. However he has shown an incredibly positive resolve to make the best of the circumstances since his accident. That resolution culminated recently when Will was awarded Liverpool University Management School's "Outstanding Post-Graduate Student of the Year' graduating with a Masters Degree with distinction (he gained a First Class honours in Physiology in 2008).

"Will's courage and his determination not to let his injury dictate the quality of his life has been a tremendous inspiration. It has also meant that I have become aware of the work which is being done to help people with spinal injuries. Every year more than 800 people in the UK and Ireland are paralysed following an injury to their spinal cord. The charity, Spinal Research, raises money to fund research into clinical treatments as well as vital basic science research with the aim of ultimately restoring movement and feeling to these people, thus transforming their lives. As you can imagine it's a cause that's close to my heart.

"After missing out on 2007, there was no way I wasn't going to be on the start line for the 2008 Great North Run. I trained with my friend Emmie Smith and we kept each other going up to race day. We made a big effort to raise funds for Spinal Research and many generous friends rallied round and we reached a total of £4,500.

"It made a difference on the days when the training was tough to think of the research that could take place at various UK universities including Leeds and Birmingham helped by our fundraising. It might be our support that could lead to a breakthrough in transforming the quality of life of spinal injury patients.

"I ran again for Spinal Research in 2009 and will be wearing my special 'black, white and grey' vest on September 19, 2010. It's a very worthwhile cause and if you'd like to join the team we'd be very happy to have you on board."

As part of the 2010 Great North Run team you'll receive a full support pack including a comprehensive training plan, a fundraising guide, tips and advice and personalised sponsor forms, as well as a Spinal Research team running vest and regular newsletters, plus lots of encouragement!

If you want to take part in any race, whether it's a marathon or your local fun run, and you can raise funds for Spinal Research to help their work into reversing the devastating effects of paralysis, they'd love to support you in your fundraising and training. They have guaranteed places in the Great North Run, the Virgin London Marathon and the London Triathlon and they'd love to have you on the team. To run with Spinal Research call the events hotline on 01483 898786 or email run@spinal-research.org