Inspired by her dad’s experience growing up in care, Emma shares why she wanted to join Team Barnardo’s in the Great North Run 2025.
What made you take on the Great North Run?
“Atmosphere, I've heard loads about it, and I’ve heard the community here is wonderful – very supportive. I’ve known friends who have done events similar down in London and they think it’s brilliant, but everyone wants to do this one.”
Why were you inspired to run for Barnardo’s?
“For me, if you’re gonna do something like this, you need to pick a charity whose support means something. It’s a challenge and you need that; you need something to focus on and when you know it’s something that’s close to your heart you’re more likely to make it. Barnardo’s to me was the connection my dad had with Barnardo’s as a boy.
“My dad and his sisters were found in London locked in a cellar and it’s only because the neighbours called social services that they took the kids and all three of them got put into care. If that hadn’t happened, then they would have died – they had tuberculosis and were malnourished when they got put into care.
"Later in his life, he became very successful, and he became a big advocate for Barnardo’s and families and children in need. He taught me many things about his experience growing up which made him so determined too - it doesn’t matter where you come from or what your background is, you can be anything you want.”
What has it meant for you to run for us?
“Without getting emotional, it’s difficult to put into words. I think it’s difficult to put into words because, for me, it’s easy to go and do a half marathon and make some money, that’s a relatively easy thing to do. I think it’s more difficult what you do helping families and children.”
How would you say the support you received from Barnardo’s was in getting you ready?
“I was very much supported by Barnardo’s and I’m very grateful for it. It was nice knowing you were on the end of an e-mail, and it actually made me think it’s easy to go out and raise money.
“Having that support spurs you on; you want a little bit more, not just in the running but in the fundraising as well and just getting your name out there and doing a bit for the charity.”
AJ Bell Great North Run 2026
Join Team Barnardo’s and 57,000 other runners and take on the Great North Run, the world’s largest half marathon on 13 September 2026 while making a huge difference to the lives of children, young people and families we support across the UK.
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