A team from the Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS) is collecting discarded clothing at the start of the Great North Run for the third year in a row to help raise vital funds for the charity.
On Sunday 8 September after all the runners have crossed the start line of the world’s biggest half marathon, there will likely be mounds of clothing left behind on the central motorway in Newcastle.
This is a familiar sight at the event, as runners tend to wear outer layers to keep them warm while waiting to reach the starting point and begin their run.
Once the half marathon is underway, a clean-up operation commences, where all the clothes left on fences or on the roadside are swiftly picked up.
Last year over 20 people, including staff from GNAAS and volunteers, spent approximately an hour picking up mainly tops, as well as jackets and bottoms which were scattered across the runners’ assembly area.
Despite the warm weather, approximately a tonne of clothing was collected on the day of the Great North Run, and it is hoped GNAAS will be able to collect a similar amount, if not more, this weekend.
Phil Hall, commercial project manager at GNAAS, said: “We’re delighted that our charity has been chosen again to pick up discarded clothing from the start of the Great North Run. It’s an amazing opportunity and we all really appreciate everyone who leaves their outer layers draped on fences for us.
“Every piece of clothing that is picked up by our team at the start of the Great North Run will be recycled and the funds generated from it will be reinvested back into the charity.”
GNAAS does not receive government funding and needs to raise £9.3m a year through public donations to remain operational.
In addition to the funds raised from unwanted clothing, hundreds of runners taking part in the Great North Run have committed to raising money for their local air ambulance charity.
Last year approximately 400 runners collectively raised more than £188,000 for GNAAS after participating in the Great North Run.
For this year’s event, several staff and volunteers for GNAAS are going to be stationed along the route to cheer everyone on, as well as looking after runners in the charity village with refreshments and a massage.
Phil added: “We’d like to wish everyone the best of luck with the Great North Run, and if you can spare a piece of clothing at the runners’ assembly, please do, as this will help our team continue to respond to those in need across the region.”
For those wishing to support the charity’s recycling service outside of the Great North Run, you can book in a clothing collection Monday to Friday at a pre-arranged date and time.
This service is available across the North East, North Yorkshire and Cumbria and can be booked by filling out a short form on their website or contacting the team via GNAAS’ Facebook page facebook.com/GNairambulance, or calling 01325 308 139.
Donations can also be dropped off on-site at the charity’s headquarters which is Progress House, Urlay Nook Road, Eaglescliffe, TS16 0QB.
Phil Hall, commercial project manager at GNAAS, said: “We’re delighted that our charity has been chosen again to pick up discarded clothing from the start of the Great North Run. It’s an amazing opportunity and we all really appreciate everyone who leaves their outer layers draped on fences for us.
“Every piece of clothing that is picked up by our team at the start of the Great North Run will be recycled and the funds generated from it will be reinvested back into the charity.”
GNAAS does not receive government funding and needs to raise £9.3m a year through public donations to remain operational.
In addition to the funds raised from unwanted clothing, hundreds of runners taking part in the Great North Run have committed to raising money for their local air ambulance charity.
Last year approximately 400 runners collectively raised more than £188,000 for GNAAS after participating in the Great North Run.
For this year’s event, several staff and volunteers for GNAAS are going to be stationed along the route to cheer everyone on, as well as looking after runners in the charity village with refreshments and a massage.
Phil added: “We’d like to wish everyone the best of luck with the Great North Run, and if you can spare a piece of clothing at the runners’ assembly, please do, as this will help our team continue to respond to those in need across the region.”
For those wishing to support the charity’s recycling service outside of the Great North Run, you can book in a clothing collection Monday to Friday at a pre-arranged date and time.
This service is available across the North East, North Yorkshire and Cumbria and can be booked by filling out a short form on their website or contacting the team via GNAAS’ Facebook page facebook.com/GNairambulance, or calling 01325 308 139.
Donations can also be dropped off on-site at the charity’s headquarters which is Progress House, Urlay Nook Road, Eaglescliffe, TS16 0QB.
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