Discarded clothing at the start of the Great North Run has helped raise the cost of a future call-out for the Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS).
On Sunday 11 September after all the runners had crossed the start line of the world’s biggest half marathon, several tonnes of clothing were left behind.
Approximately 30 people, including staff from GNAAS and volunteers filled seven vans with tops, jackets and bottoms that were scattered across the runners assembly area.
Sophie Snowdon, regional fundraising lead at GNAAS, said: “We put an appeal out for volunteers to help us collect the clothing and we had a great response from the public. There was a mix of GNAAS staff and volunteers including people who had potentially not volunteered or supported our charity before.
“We collected all the clothing in about an hour and filled up seven vans so it was definitely a good haul. It was a fantastic experience to be a part of and I’d like to thank everyone who came and helped out on the day.”
4,326kg of clothing was collected by GNAAS and the money raised will help cover the cost of a call-out for the charity’s critical care team, who were seen flying to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle during the Great North Run after responding to several incidents across the region.
David Stockton, chief executive at GNAAS, said: “It was a big team effort at this year’s Great North Run and I’m very proud of the staff and volunteers who gave up their Sunday to either collect clothes, cheer on our runners, or help out in the charity village, as well as those in the office who have been supporting our runners in the lead up to the event.
“I’d also like to congratulate everyone who took part in the Great North Run. It was a hot day but everyone managed to cross that finish line with a smile on their face, and it was really inspiring to see.”
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