Run Geordie Run
628. Mark Allison
Mark Allison, from Northumberland, is in the middle of an epic fundraising campaign running 20,000 miles around the world, through 24 countries, to raise money for two charities - the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation and The Children’s Foundation.
Mark is completing the mammoth runs in memory of his parents who he lost to cancer and his brother, who died of a brain haemorrhage.
Mark documents his journey on his blog, ‘Run Geordie Run’, and has already run 9,000 miles across the UK, US, Australia and Europe, raising over £260,000 for his chosen charities. He will be running the remaining 11,000 miles through Serbia, Romania, Ukraine, Russia, Kazakhstan, China, Japan and New Zealand over the next 6 years.
In a personal letter to Mark, Prime Minister Theresa May said:
“Your impressive commitment to running around the world to raise money for the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation and the Children’s Foundation is a wonderful tribute to the lives of your parents and brother. The money you have raised will play an important part in helping these charities undertake their vital work. I wish you all the very best as you undertake the next leg of your journey.”
Mark said:
“I feel extremely privileged to be able to fundraise for The Children’s Foundation and The Sir Bobby Robson Foundation via Run Geordie Run. To have my 20,000 mile run around the world, in aid of those 2 charities, recognised by the Prime Minister with the Points of Light award is a real honour.”
Lady Elsie Robson said on behalf of the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation:
“We’re all extremely proud of Mark. He’s an incredibly committed fundraiser who simply doesn’t give up.
“I don’t know where he finds the energy to run so far and I know he sacrifices a lot personally when he undertakes these charity challenges.
“Mark puts his heart and soul into everything he does and is thoroughly deserving of this wonderful recognition for his efforts.”
Nicola Crawford, Director of Operations at The Children’s Foundation said:
“The Children’s Foundation are delighted that Mark has been chosen to receive this recognition for his fundraising efforts. Mark works very hard to raise vital funds that support those children and young people in the North East who are facing distress, disadvantage and disability. Mark is extremely committed and passionate and very much deserves the Points of Light award.”