Fundraising Crook runner tackles Great North Run (From The Advertiser Series)

Fundraising Crook runner tackles Great North Run

6:30pm Sunday 2nd September 2012 in News

A FUNDRAISING runner is to take part in the Great North Run to boost the work of a charity which helps the world’s poorest people.
Ian Hoult, 41, of Crook, is to run the half marathon in aid of Mercy Ships which provides free medical care and humanitarian aid to people in Africa.
He will take on the 13.1 mile half marathon stretching between Newcastle and South Shields on Sunday, September 16.
Mr Hoult, a streetscene manager at Durham County Council, hopes to raise at least £400 for the charity which runs the world’s biggest hospital ship the Africa Mercy.
He said: “I chose Mercy Ships as it’s an excellent charity which gives medical assistance to people who have little or no access to free local services - something we take for granted over here.
“ I volunteer to do something for charity every year since having some health problems and I’ve raised more than £5,000 in recent years for various charities.
“I last did the Great North Run over 20 years ago but training is going OK with the help and support of friends and I’m looking forward to the challenge.”
The Mercy Ships charity was founded in 1978 and its staff have worked in more than 70 countries to provide services to more than 2.35m people.
To support Ian donate at: http://www.justgiving.com/ian-hoult .