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Great North Walk 2009 in pictures
The sun shone down on more than 2,500 walkers who put their best foot forward for the Diabetes UK Great North Walk.
Fund-raisers from across Wearside and the North flocked to Herrington Country Park to take part in the annual 10-mile walk.
They made their way around a course that took in some of the region's most scenic spots, including Penshaw Monument and the banks of the river Wear.
Among them was Michelle Cooney and her family.
This is the fifth year that the 33-year-old from Peterlee has taken part in the event to raise funds for the Clarke Lister Brain Haemorrhage Foundation.
The charity, which helps fund research, was set up in memory of Michelle's 10-year-old brother, who died from a haemorrhage in 1996.
Michelle made her away around the route with husband Daren and daughters Mollie, four, and Ruby, 17 months, and other Clarke Lister fund-raisers.
She said: "I did our first Great Walk when I was pregnant with Mollie and it's something we have done ever since.
"It's a really good way to raise awareness of our charity, but also Diabetes UK, which are both really good causes.
"What's particularly good about the Great North Walk is that it is something you can do as a family."
Also hoping to raise vital funds and awareness of Diabetes UK was Karen Surtees, 46, from Easington Colliery.
Her son Graham, 24, was diagnosed with the condition 18 years ago.
She said: "Diabetes UK doesn't always get the attention or recognition it deserves.
"Some people thinks diabetes is just like having a cold, they don't realise how much it can affect people.
"But events like this are a perfect way of highlighting the cause. I did the walk last year too, and you meet some really lovely people along the way."
Also soaking up the carnival atmosphere was Gary Welch, 42, from Houghton, and son Connor, 10.
He said: "This is the fourth time we've done the walk. We really enjoy it as it's something we can do together.
"It's brilliant weather here today and the people who take part are always a lovely bunch."
Helping to get the walkers on their way was 10-year-old Daniel Heslop, who sounded the klaxon to mark the start for one of the waves of walkers, whose starting times were staggered.
Daniel, from County Durham, was at the event with mum Gillian Heslop to help raise money for the Great North Air Ambulance.
She said: "It's a charity we feel very strongly about. The air ambulance does such a fantastic job, but relies on donations from the public so we try to do as much as we can to help.
"We have met some lovely people here today who have shown their support."
Daniel, who has Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, which affects his mobility, was one of many to take part in the shorter three mile route, which was designed for those with wheelchairs and pushchairs.
David Hart, communications director from event organisers Nova International, said the walk – which was held on Wearside for the second year running – had been a huge success.
"We are delighted with the response this year," he explained.
"It's such a great venue. It's a bit of a hidden gem, but we hope that by hosting the event here people will keep come back to use it again.
"It's exciting times for Sunderland at the minute with the success of the football club and the recent concerts. We are really looking forward to our next event in the city – the inaugural Great North 10k, which we think will become one of the highlights of the sporting calendar."
Walk title sponsors Diabetes UK said the event had been a huge success.
Lisa Stafford, the charity's regional events officer, said: "There are more than 2,500 people here today and around a quarter of them are walking for Diabetes UK, which is great.
"As well as raising funds and awareness, the walk is a great way to promote a healthier lifestyle which can help prevent Type 2 diabetes."
l Entries are still open for the Bupa Great North 10k, which will start at the Stadium of Light on Sunday, July 12. For an entry form log onto www.greatrun.org.
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Thursday 09 February 2012
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