A West Yorkshire sales director is on target to smash the Great North Run half marathon to fight meningitis
Thirty-six-year-old Nickie McIntyre, from Normanton, will be taking part in her first Great North Run – one of the world’s largest half marathons – on Sunday 8 September for us following her son Lucas’ experience with the disease eight years ago when he was just 17 months old.
“Lucas contracted MenB along with septicaemia,” Nickie said. “He was very lucky and was treated quickly. Last year though we discovered some of the cognitive issues he has today could be related to an acquired brain injury caused by the disease."
Raising awareness
“Since Lucas was ill we have always tried to raise awareness of the disease with other parents and have always supported Meningitis Now. We really appreciate the support it gives to us and other families and would like to raise as much money much as possible to support this great charity and help other families."
“I enjoy running,” Nickie added, “and have two other half marathons under my belt. I like to challenge myself and the Great North Run is the big one – I will be proud to complete it. Running has benefited me in so many ways.”
The mother of two will be running with her husband Ron, who is a novice runner.
To support Nickie and Ron’s efforts visit the funding page at https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/nickieandazz.
Following a spectacular course from the centre of Newcastle upon Tyne to the coast at South Shields, the Simplyhealth Great North Run is one of the biggest half marathons in the world. Around 57,000 runners take on the epic 13.1 miles each year, including world-class athletes such as Mo Farah.
Good luck Nickie and Ron – we’ll be there to cheer you on.
Our team for this year’s Great North Run is full but we’ll be back next year. Register your interest on our Great North Run web page from today and we hope to see you there.