Josie McGrath is taking part in the Great North Run 2024, fundraising for The Great North Children’s Hospital.
She is giving something back after the care and support her niece and family have received.
In the second of our runner blogs, we focus on her fundraising efforts:
Who are you fundraising for and why?
I am fundraising for The Great North Children’s Hospital (GNCH).
The reason I chose GNCH is to give something back after my niece and family have received the most amazing care and support.
My niece was born with a tumour that was detected after a final growth scan. From the minute she was born she has been under the amazing care of the RVI.
She had MRI scans at just a few days old and underwent major surgery which required three specialist surgeons at just nine-weeks-old. The care from the consultant, surgeons, nurses and everyone else has been incredible.
The facilities including play areas and play equipment that meant her sisters could play by her bed side as she recovered was incredible!
I want to give back as much as I can because myself and family will forever be grateful!
How have you gone about your fundraising, and how have you found it?
I started my fundraising as soon as I began my training for the Great North Run.
I created my fundraising page and shared this across my social media and had friends and family share on their social media too.
I’ve been blown away with how quickly I have been able to raise how much money I have so far (£1,500 and climbing!) and I hope to continue to raise much more as my training continues.
What three tips would you give to all of our fundraisers for Newcastle Hospitals Charity, The Great North Children’s Hospital, and The Sir Bobby Robson Foundation?
- Get your page up and running as soon as possible, the more time people have to donate the more you will hopefully raise!
- If you have a personal experience with why the charity means so much, share it! I know this can be difficult and I know my sister took a while to put some information together about their experience. But I think the story of my niece means people feel much more invested and the generosity of friends, family and strangers has been incredible.
- Share how your training is going and your goal for the race! Keep people updated and keep them involved in your journey! My aim is to get under 2 hours this year and I’m determined to do it for my niece if it means I can raise more money!
—–
Thank you, Josie, and we wish you all of the very best for this year’s Great North Run!
