It's trek day!

Hi Sunshine News readers,

It’s a very exciting day at Sunshine HQ as it’s trek day!

After months of meticulous planning, fundraising, and training, our team of trekkers are today travelling to the Yorkshire Dales to take on the three highest peaks with our guides from Adventure Northumberland.

Our events & fundraising coordinator Erin and our digital fundraising manager Lauren will be joining them (rather them than me!) to offer motivation and support throughout the gruelling 12-hour challenge.

They had to be up at the crack of dawn this morning to set off for the Dales at 4am to give them enough time to climb all three peaks in the challenge time limit.

I really do hope they’ve had their Weetabix…

Joining them is a group of superstars who are really going above and beyond to support us this year including previous trekkers, as well as individuals from our corporate partners St James’ Square Law Firm and Ubisoft.

Depending on what time you read this will very much depend on how spritely they are however please join us in wishing them the best of luck today.

In true Sunshine Fund style, the sun is blaring down on them so we can’t wait to hear more about their adventure in next week’s column.

If our trekkers have motivated you to take on a challenge this Summer, why not sign up for our Sunshine Run?

Time is running out to sign up online for our iconic 5K which welcomes club, competitive, fun, and corporate team runners and after two years without the event (thanks Covid!) we know so many people have eagerly anticipated its return.

We already have a wealth of club and competitive runners signed up following the introduction of our 5k Elite wave in 2019, giving people the opportunity to race for time and get a PB on our flat and fast course.

Of course our traditional 5K Fun Run will take centre stage where runners, or walkers, of all abilities can join in.

The Sunshine Run really is an event to enjoy together, so get your friends or colleagues together and sign up online via our website.

This year we are most excited however about our brand new 3K Youth run which is open to 13–18- year-olds of all abilities.

Of course, it is the perfect opportunity for youngsters to get ahead of the game and train for the Junior Great North Run which follows a very similar route.

The 3K wave isn’t limited for club youth runners and we would love to see teens of all abilities join us.

Our friends at North East Netball will be taking part in this event and so it is perfect for sports teams and clubs, dance troops and anything in between, just to have a bit of fun together and support others their age who have a disability or additional need.

We also look forward to welcoming back our event sponsors Stagecoach, our host for the evening, BBC’s Anna Foster, music from the talented North Tyneside Steelband and Star Wars photo opportunities with our friends at the 99th Garrison.

Our proud Charity Patron and Paralympian Stephen Miller will also be kicking off the waves and sounding that starting horn for us.

An epic Tyne Bridge backdrop photo finish will await our runners as well as medals, treats and fabulous drink offers from Urban Garden who are also supporting the event.

Information on all waves, timings and sign up link is on our website.

Have a wonderful weekend,

Siobhan x