Team Jubilee help make history at the 2014 Great North Run

A ‘Great North’ Weekend, for Runners and Campaigners

The Great North Run made history this year as the first in the world to have the millionth runner crossing the line, 46 of whom were running to raise funds for JDC.

‘Pre-run Photo Call’ with Professor Phil Taylor, Director of the Institute for Research on Sustainability (IReS), Claire Boothman, President of the Students’ Union, and Sarah-Jayne Clifton, Director of the Jubilee Debt Campaign (Photos: David Golding)

The 2014 Great North Run saw the 12th Newcastle University team take part for the Jubilee Debt Campaign, Stop Aids and British aid agencies and will add to the already impressive £152,500 total which runners have raised previously.

‘Shattered but triumphant’ students, Harriet Turner, Meghan Rossuck, and Max Martin, from Newcastle University — ‘Shattered but triumphant’ students Harriet Turner, Meghan Rossuck, and Max Martin from Newcastle University

“It was very good to have several overseas members this year. They included Professor Giorgio Fazio, of the Law School, whose brother Giulio came across from Italy for the Run, and Katerina Deligiania, a Masters student in the School, who’s a veteran of ‘the real thing’ – the Classic Athens Marathon!” David Golding.

‘Mo Farah look-alikes’ supporting their university’s ‘commitment to social renewal […] and the spirit of social justice at the heart of the Jubilee Debt Campaign’

‘Eve-of-Run’ Events

On Saturday 6 September, the eve of the Great North Run, two brief events were organised in St Thomas’s Church by the Rev’d Catherine Lack on behalf of the University Chaplaincy, and Dr David Golding CBE, a leader of North East CALL TO ACTION, the region-wide campaign on global poverty and climate change.

In addition to the main speakers, special guests included Judith Kirton-Darling MEP; Cllr Anita Lower, Leader of the Opposition on Newcastle City Council; and Chi Onwurah, Labour MP for Newcastle Central with Professor Richard Davies, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Engagement & Internationalisation) representing the University.

In the first, ‘campaigns event’, Sarah-Jayne Clifton, Director of Jubilee Debt Campaign, thanked the university and region for its support for the campaign from its earliest years and spoke about current problems resulting from resurgent irresponsible lending. Paul Brannen MEP then spoke about the challenge of responding to climate change, when we now have a ‘major political force, UKIP, which is climate sceptical.’

The second event, led by Rev’d Lack, was a ‘Service of Blessing for the Great North Run and those in need at home and abroad’, and focussed on ‘peace and conflict.’ Readings included first hand accounts of those caught up in the First World War and an address by the Rt Rev’d Frank White, Assistant Bishop of Newcastle.

About 60 people attended the events, including a number of those participating in the run the following day. Several students were wearing the logos of the various charities they would be supporting and which benefit from the substantial fundraising efforts of the University’s JDC team.

‘Eve-of-Run’ Events: special guests, speakers and organisers outside St Thomas’ Church

Want to run?

Places for the Great North Run are allocated by ballot. If you want to join our 2015 team here’s what you need to do:

1 – Enter the ballot

The General Ballot is open until Monday 9 February 2015. To be in with a chance of getting a place you can enter the ballot on the Great North Run page of the Great Run website.

2 – Let us know you’ve entered

It is very important you let us know you’ve entered so we can make sure you join our team if you get a place.
Please contact David Golding, david.golding@ncl.ac.uk, when you have entered and AGAIN if you are successful so he can arrange for you to join our team.
Queries? Just email david.golding@ncl.ac.uk or check out our 2014 FAQs about the run