Caring brothers recognised for efforts to raise hundreds for charity

Two brothers who have spent years pounding the pavements to raise funds for charity have been nominated for a Best of Wearside Award.
Loghan and Hayden MacDonald at the Junior Great North Run 2016.Loghan and Hayden MacDonald at the Junior Great North Run 2016.
Loghan and Hayden MacDonald at the Junior Great North Run 2016.

Youngsters Loghan, 12, and Hayden MacDonald, nine, have made it their annual mission to raise hundreds of pounds for worthy causes by taking part in fun runs across the region.

Every January, the pair, from Southend Road, Sunderland, sit down with mum Naomi MacDonald to decide on which charities they will support.

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Proud mum Naomi, 36, said she was delighted with their nomination.

“Every year they tirelessly raise money and awareness for their chosen charity,” she said.
“In January they decide between themselves who they would like to raise money for and then they run three races throughout the year- the Greggs Children’s Cancer Run; The Junior Great North Run and a fun run in Sunderland.

“Each charity has a personal meaning and over the years the charity’s they have chosen include Help for Heroes, Arthritis Research and REACH- which is for children with upper body disabilities.

“Sometimes they don’t raise an awful lot, but that never stops them.”

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Other causes include 4Louis, which provides bereaved parents who suffer a stillbirth or neonatal death with memory boxes, following the death of their baby cousin Emily; Solving Kids’ Cancer: SKC after a friend Jamie Ingles tragically died and for friend Kieran Maxwell who is battling cancer.

Mrs MacDonald added: “Since Loghan started fundraising aged five, the boys have taken part in over 10 races for charity.

“The boys just want to raise awareness for the causes through their running and this year they have managed to raise over £200.

“It would mean everything to me if they won the award.

“I don’t think they realise how much of a difference they are making and I am so proud of them.”

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The Best of Wearside Awards 2016 are now well under way and we are looking for outstanding members of the community to be put forward for the honour.

Categories include Green Champion; Student of the Year; Fundraiser of the Year; Volunteer of the Year; Sporting Achievement; Community Group; Community Champion; Local Hero; Child of Achievement; and Child of Courage.

This year’s sponsors are Calsonic Kansei, Gentoo, Vantec, Station Taxis, Sunderland City Council Fostering and Adoption Service, JB Skills Training, TWR, and Sunderland Live, who will be sponsoring a range of categories.

To nominate, just send your name, address and telephone number, as well as your email address, if applicable.

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Remember to include the category you are putting your nominated cause into.

Send the name of the person you wish to nominate, along with their address, telephone number and email, to Lynn Wild by 5pm on Friday, December 30, 2016.

Entries should sent by email to: [email protected] or posted to: Lynn Wild, Alexander House, Second Floor, Rainton Bridge Business Park, Houghton-le-Spring, Sunderland, DH4 5RA.