Victory and no washout for Bupa Great North Run 10K runners
Published 19 July 2011
It rained heavily but TV presenter Jamie Darling and a team of undeterred runners braved the torrent to complete the Bupa Great North Run 10K on Sunday 17 July and raise vital funds to fight dementia
Jamie Darling, best known for presenting BBC's Animal Hospital with Rolf Harris, was joined by a group of sisters whose father has dementia, all running to raise money for Alzheimer's Society, Bupa's nominated charity for its Great Run Series 2011.
Delighted with his time of 41.05, Jamie said:
'It was a lovely route except for the cliff at the end! This was my season's best time so I'm really chuffed. It was also great preparation for the Great North Run in September which is going to be quite a challenge but I'm looking forward to it.'
For sisters Tracey Watson, 49, Kim Allen, 52, both from Birtley, and Michelle Turnbull, from Low Fell, it was the first time they took part in a run like this.
Kim said:
'We had a great day. I feel so proud we've done this. It was harder than I thought but we were encouraging each other and people were high-fiveing us as we ran by, which was nice. Knowing we were doing this for Dad meant so much, it was very emotional for all of us. We'll definitely do it again next year for him.'
Tracey, Kim and Michelle's dad, Ken Bowman, developed vascular dementia five years ago and three years later was also diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. Ken, aged 77, is cared for at home by the girls' mum Nora, aged 74.
