Shearer goes the extra mile for Million Pound Mission

A North East charity is calling on people to go the extra mile to help raise £1 million for a new hydrotherapy pool supporting children and adults with complex disabilities.

Former Newcastle United and England captain Alan Shearer has joined North East mayor Kim McGuinness to launch Move a Mile, the latest fundraising challenge from the Alan Shearer Foundation.

The pair completed the first official mile together at the Alan Shearer Centre in West Denton, before the mayor toured its facilities and met members and their families.

Participants are being encouraged to walk, run, cycle or complete a mile in any way they can before making a donation and nominating others to follow suit.

Organisers hope people will collectively cover 52,719 miles – one for every seat at St James’ Park – with schools, businesses, sports clubs and community groups encouraged to get involved.

A dedicated one-mile route has also been created around the centre.

Alan said: “It was great to welcome Kim to the Centre and show her first-hand the work that happens here. 

“We’re incredibly proud of how far we’ve come, but there is still much more to do.

“Demand for the Centre continues to grow, which is why we’re raising £1 million to build a second hydrotherapy pool. 

“Move a Mile is something everyone can get involved in, however they choose to, and every mile completed and every donation made will help more families get the support they need.

“I’d love to see people across the North East, and beyond, get behind the challenge and help us build the Centre’s next chapter.”

The challenge forms part of the foundation’s Million Pound Mission, launched earlier this year to raise £1 million towards a second hydrotherapy pool.

More than 10,000 members and their families now rely on the Alan Shearer Centre, which is operated by regional charity St Cuthbert’s Care and works alongside the foundation to provide specialist facilities and support free of charge.

Growing demand means its existing hydrotherapy pool can no longer provide sufficient therapy time, prompting the campaign to expand capacity.

Hydrotherapy provides important physical and therapeutic benefits for people with complex disabilities, with the proposed second pool designed to give more members regular access to sessions.

Mayor McGuinness added: “Growing up in the North East, I spent years watching Alan Shearer score goals and inspire football fans across the region, so it’s fantastic to now be working alongside him to encourage people to get moving for such an important cause.

“Football rivalries run deep in our region, and that’s part of what makes the North East so special. 

“But whether you wear black and white, red and white, or support another team entirely, this is something we can all come together and get behind.

“The Alan Shearer Centre provides life-changing support for children, adults and families from communities right across the North East, and seeing that work first-hand was incredibly inspiring. 

“Move a Mile is a simple challenge that everyone can take part in, and every mile completed and every donation made will help more people access the support they need.”

Move a Mile has been designed to make contributing to the appeal accessible regardless of age or physical ability, with participants able to choose how they complete the distance.

Schools, workplaces, sports clubs and community organisations are being invited to stage their own events as the campaign gathers momentum.

The foundation hopes the challenge will not only move its fundraising total closer to the £1 million target but help ensure the centre can meet growing demand for its services for years to come.

To take part, nominate a friend, or make a donation, click here.

Want your business, product or service to be seen regionally and nationally? Bdaily helps you get your story in front of the right audience, every day. Find out how Bdaily can help →

Join more than 55,000 subscribers by signing up to our daily bulletin each morning here.