More than 3,500 Gateshead school children took part in a special fun run in Saltwell Park in aid of The Sir Bobby Robson Foundation.
Youngsters, aged from 3 years-old to 11, were bathed in sunshine as they ran a circuit of the beautiful park.
The #INSPIRE Gateshead Primary Schools Fun Run, organised by the Gateshead School Sports Partnership has been running for 14 years.
Encouraging children to enjoy the benefits of being active outdoors, the fun run also supported our foundation for the second time.
Kevin Hay, service manager at Gateshead School Sports Partnership, said: “It’s fantastic to see so many children from across Gateshead coming together to enjoy being active in such a positive and inclusive environment.
“Events like this are all about building confidence, promoting healthy lifestyles and creating lasting memories through sport.
“We’re also incredibly proud to continue supporting The Sir Bobby Robson Foundation. It gives the event an even greater purpose, helping children understand the impact they can have beyond sport while contributing to something that will benefit so many people across our region.”
Clover Hill Primary School in Whickham was one of the 37 Gateshead schools that participated.
Adele Sinclair, a Higher-Level Teaching Assistant and Athletics Coach at Clover Hill Primary School, commented: “We’ve brought along children from our athletics club to run today.
“This is a fantastic opportunity for all the children to enjoy sport outside of school. They all motivate and encourage each other and there’s a great atmosphere.”
Speaking alongside her fellow Clover Hill Primary School runners, a year 6 pupil said: “We like being out running with friends and competing. We want to win for the school and it’s fun to compete.
“We’ve all done it at least two times before and we’re really looking forward to it. I think we’re all faster than last year.”
The money raised through the event will help build the Sir Bobby Robson Institute, a world leading cancer drug trials centre.
Construction of the £30m institute has just begun on the site of the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle and, when completed, it will enable ground-breaking cancer treatment that will directly benefit around 3.5million people living in the North East, North Cumbria and North Yorkshire, as well as making a global impact.
Funded by the foundation, part of Newcastle Hospitals Charity, thanks to the generosity of donors, supporters and fundraisers, more than £26.5 million has already been raised to support the project.
Mark Ferguson, MP for Gateshead Central and Whickham said: “I think the work of The Sir Bobby Robson Foundation is fantastic.
The people of the North East deserve the very best cancer treatment, and access to research opportunities at the heart of this region.
“Sir Bobby was a beloved son of this region and he’s left an incredible legacy. We’re so close to the £30m mark and we everyone should be doing what they can to get the institute over the line.”
Support is now crucial to raise the final funds to complete and fully equip the Sir Bobby Robson Institute by 2027.
For Sir Bobby Robson Institute fundraising enquiries please contact Kate Bradley or call 0191 213 7235.
