Nine dedicated runners took on the iconic Great North Run on 13 September, joining tens of thousands of participants in the world’s biggest half marathon. In glorious sunshine, they made the 13.1‑mile journey from Newcastle to South Shields, each stride helping to raise vital funds for the Trust’s conservation work.
Closer to home, a team of runners represented the Trust at the Durham City Run Festival. Winding through the beautiful streets of historic Durham, they ran to support local wildlife and the green spaces that make the region such a special place to explore.
Earlier in the year, one young runner took on the extraordinary challenge of running the 70-mile coast-to-coast length of Hadrian's Wall, travelling from Carlisle to Gateshead. His route carried deep personal meaning: Jacob’s great‑grandfather, Charles Anderson, dedicated decades of his life to conserving and consolidating Hadrian’s Wall between 1936 and 1974. Jacob’s run honoured that legacy, tracing the footsteps of a man who helped preserve a piece of history that has stood for nearly two millennia, while raising funds to restore wildlife and safeguard the English countryside for future generations.
Together, these runners have shown how powerful community action can be. Their achievements - from city streets to ancient stones - are helping nature thrive across the North East.
Giselle Greulich-Smith, Supporter Development Officer, said: “I would like to express my sincere thanks, along with those of everyone at Durham Wildlife Trust, to all the running fundraisers who have pushed their limits in the name of nature.
“Our vital work for wildlife relies on the support of members, volunteers and those who donate to our important cause. To have raised so much over the past few months, thanks to fundraisers who select our charity as their reason to run, is extremely humbling.
“The money raised will do amazing things for wildlife across the North East. We hope that when our fundraisers step into their local greenspace they feel a sense of achievement knowing that the miles they ran have gone so much further. They are helping to protect and restore wild spaces, securing a future for species at risk and ensuring that future generations can continue to enjoy the natural world.”
If you would like to fundraise for Durham Wildlife Trust, you can find out more by clicking the link below.