It’s all systems go for Bishop Helen-Ann as she continues her preparations for this year’s Great North Run.
The avid runner will raise vital funds for Newcastle Foodbank, which offers emergency food assistance to people in need across the city, as well as other essential services.
Earlier this year, the Bishop was honoured to accept an invitation to become a patron of the organisation, which opened in 2013 and provides more than 18,000 food parcels each year.
Bishop Helen-Ann said: “I’m delighted to be a patron of the Newcastle Foodbank and committed to being an advocate for its work and the injustices that create the need for foodbanks in the first place.
“This is a great opportunity to raise awareness of the foodbank – helping to make sure that those who need it can access these essential services – as well as much-needed funds.”
The Bishop said it will be a privilege to be among the 60,000 people competing in the Great North Run, on Sunday 8 September. Her preparations are on schedule, with three early morning training runs complimented by her usual weekend Parkrun commitments.
“It is a remarkable community event in the North East,” she said. “From the familiar landmarks to the people taking part and all of their individual stories, it’s always inspiring to be part of what is a very special day in the calendar of our region.”
Bishop Helen-Ann will be grateful for all donations received. To make a contribution visit her Just Giving page here.
This summer, the Bishop has featured in an and interview with Runner’s World magazine.
She has also featured in September’s issue of the Ultra Running Magazine (a USA publication), in which she discusses the Barkley Marathon, the ultramarathon trail race which takes place in Morgan County, Tennessee each year.
Journalist Jared Beasley, of Ultra Running Magazine, explained that the story came about after Bishop Helen-Ann reflected on the parallels between ultra-running and religion – during an earlier interview in June with Territorio Trail Media, a Spanish media company - in which she referred to the Barkley Marathon.
He said: “(It came about) basically from Keith Dunn - the Twitter man behind The Barkley. I saw a post he shared about Bishop Helen-Ann's speech. Then, I was contacted for a podcast not long after and they wanted to ask me about her.
“So, I checked her Twitter page and found running was a big part of who she was. It's one thing to be into running, but The Barkley can be quite extreme. However, as a writer, I've always felt the nature of The Barkley was one of personal trials and transcendence.
“Bishop Helen-Ann seemed to see that same dynamic: the unlikely humanity that can come Out There - on the edge; a group from all walks of life working together against an extraordinary foe in order to achieve something, not for monetary reward (there is none), but to make the impossible possible.”
You can read the Ultra Running Magazine article here on our Facebook page.
The Runner's World interview is here. The publication asks for readers to create an account. However, you can find a screenshot of the story on the Diocese of Newcastle Facebook page.
Photos: Bishop Helen-Ann pictured with Newcastle Foodbank representatives (above) and with her race number for the Great North Run (left).