Headway runners go the distance
21 December 2010
Headway service users, carers and volunteers alike have been raising their heart rates - and thousands of pounds - by taking part in some great runs.
The Great North Run, Great South Run and Great Yorkshire Run all took place over the last few months, and all featured Headway runners.
On Sunday 5 September, staff from the Sheffield Community Brain Injury Rehabilitation Team (SCBIRT) ran the Great Yorkshire Run for Headway. The team, comprising Sarah Peck, Laura Willetts, Lois Ovendon, Kelly Anderson and Jay Blackshire were joined by Headway's Yorkshire Regional Co-ordinator Rachel McLafferty and together they braced the chilly morning to conquer the hilly course, raising £650 in the process.
The cool and wet conditions didn't dampen spirits at the 30th anniversary Great North Run in Newcastle upon Tyne, where a 20-strong team from Headway set out in their fluorescent yellow vests on Sunday 19 September. Among the group were sisters Dee Black and Judith Robson, who completed the run in their fastest ever time, raising an impressive £1,207.
Katherine Crosby ran a stellar time of 2:18:23 on behalf of her father, who Headway helped recover from a brain injury after he fell down the stairs at home.
Further south in Wiltshire, Ellie Johnson, whose story about her recovery from a brain injury appears in the 'My story' section of this website, ran the Salisbury Half Marathon on 17 October, raising £637.19. Ellie said: "I ran the whole way in 2:24.41 - so much for not being able to walk again! But I couldn't have done it without the help and support of my friend Sarah who ran with me."
For Leisa Hilliar, just being able to take part in The Great South Run was an achievement. Following a brain haemorrhage as a result of a burst aneurysm in March 2009, Leisa has to walk with crutches and struggles to concentrate on more than one activity at a time.
However, Leisa wasn't going to let this stop her from completing the race. With the support of her husband Malcolm, and her children Megan and Jack, she set off at her own pace on Sunday 24 October and although the reopening of some of the roads on
the course limited her to doing six-and-a-half miles, she completed the shortened course in three hours and twenty-seven minutes.
"The race marshalls were incredible," said Leisa. "They stayed with me the whole way and really made it my day. Just having this race as a goal has been a real help, you have to aim high."
Congratulations to all of our Headway runners! We're very proud of you all.