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Fun in the sun for all on Great North Run

Sep 20 2009 Sunday Sun

CROWDS packed out Tyneside’s Quayside for the Mini and Junior Great North Runs yesterday.

More than 5000 youngsters were joined by celebrities, a few Teletubbies and a bunch of Smurfs in a day of fun for all the family.

The sun shone and the Quayside was buzzing as the youngsters set an example to today’s Great North Runners.

The “Banana Army” turned out in force to raise money for Leukaemia Research.

One of their younger members, Eden Taylor-Draper, 11, who plays Belle Dingle in Emmerdale, said: “It’s my first time in Newcastle and I think it’s great.

“I love doing stuff for charity. I just wanted to get through it without dying!”

Cathy Gilman, 46, the Chief Executive of Leukaemia Research, said: “It’s children raising money for children so it’s really nice.”

The official charity had around 700 runners and raised in the region of £30,000.

Actors from Coronation Street, Emmerdale and Holby, as well as hundreds of parents and a giant banana, cheered the youngsters on.

Cathy’s sister Sally, a French teacher at Heaton Manor School, brought over 100 pupils along to the event and said: “We raised a fortune. It’s great for the city and great for the school.”

Her daughter, Katie Albone, 12, was in the Junior Run.

The Gilmans lost two cousins to the disease.

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