Great North Run team races for Sammy

A North East charity team is gearing up for the Great North Run.

A dedicated squad of ten runners will tackle the 13.1-mile course to raise £25,000 for Sunday for Sammy, marking the 25th anniversary of the beloved show which was established in memory of the late North East actor, who died suddenly in 1998. 

The team brings together performers, musicians, entrepreneurs and local creatives, all united to support bursaries for aspiring young talent.

Actor Lisa McGrillis, known for TV hits including Mum, Sex Education, Hebburn and Disney+'s Rivals, will take to the start line alongside James Baxter, of Still Open All Hours and Waterloo Road, who says he “can’t wait to get blisters for this amazing charity”.

Musicians Matt Saxon, from The Early Purple and Little Comets, as well as Ashington songwriter Ben Harwood are also part of the team, combining their creative passions with fundraising.

Family connections to the show are represented by Sammy Johnson’s grandson Nathan Hayes and Victoria Johansen, filling in for her father, former IBF World Cruiserweight Champion Glenn McCrory. 

Entrepreneur Ben Griffin, owner of Wata, singer and comedian Micky Cochrane and endurance runner Ian McAllister, head of marketing at The Alnwick Garden, complete the lineup, with a tenth member yet to be confirmed.

Funds raised will support 12 Sunday for Sammy bursaries at Gateshead College’s new Level 4 Creative Enterprise Diploma, covering costs such as travel, equipment and essential software. 

The programme aims to nurture young people in TV, film, content creation, journalism and music performance, removing financial barriers and giving regional talent a platform to thrive.

Ray Laidlaw, producer of the Sunday for Sammy show, said: “This isn’t just about crossing a finish line. 

“It’s about opening doors, breaking down barriers, and funding 12 Sunday for Sammy Bursaries – giving talented young creatives from the North East the chance to follow their dreams.

“For many young creatives, these bursaries are more than money. 

“They are opportunities. 

“They are a camera in a filmmaker’s hands, a bus pass to a first industry job, a subscription that allows a budding content creator to keep learning, experimenting and building their future. 

“With your support, £25,000 can change twelve lives — and help shape the creative future of the North East."

To make a donation, click here.

Tickets for the show on February 15 are available from www.utilitaarena.co.uk/events/detail/sunday-for-sammy.

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