The need for organ donors remains incredibly urgent.

A Sunderland runner in this weekend’s Great North Run is hoping people will have a heart and sign up to the organ donor register.

Alice Conlin from Red Sky running as the Tin Man in City Runs earlier this year | Sunderland Echo

placeholder image — Alice Conlin from Red Sky running as the Tin Man in City Runs earlier this year | Sunderland Echo

Alice Conlin, marketing and communications executive for Red Sky Foundation, is swapping the yellow brick road for the world’s most famous road race dressed as the Tin Man.

The costume is a poignant symbol of the babies and children waiting for a heart, and the second chance at life, they so desperately need.

Alice first donned the Tin Man costume back in May when she completed the Sunderland 10K to raise awareness of organ donation in support of NHS Organ Donation.

The Tin Man is famously the Wizard of Oz character searching for a heart and for Alice and Red Sky Foundation, there could hardly be a more powerful symbol for the children and families the charity supports every day.

Currently, 8,696 people are waiting for an organ transplant in the UK, according to the latest NHS Organ Donation statistics.

This Sunday’s Great North Run will carry an especially poignant meaning for Alice and the Red Sky Foundation team, as her run will be dedicated to Poppy Lambert, a little girl supported by the charity who sadly passed away at just two years old.

Poppy had spent much of her short life bravely fighting serious heart problems and had undergone multiple open-heart surgeries.

She was eventually placed on the urgent heart transplant list as her family desperately waited and hoped for the call to say a donor heart had been found.

Tragically, last month, Poppy became seriously unwell with an infection and sadly passed away.

Alice said: “When I first dressed as the Tin Man for the Sunderland 10K, I wanted to do something that would make people stop, look and hopefully think about organ donation.

“The Tin Man was searching for a heart, and there are babies and children in hospitals across the UK doing exactly the same thing. They’re waiting for a second chance.

“This weekend that message will mean more to me than ever. I’ll be running for Poppy and carrying her memory with me for every one of those 13.1 miles.

“She was just two years old and had already fought more battles than most of us could ever imagine. Poppy, Her story and her family will stay in my heart forever. It is an absolute privilege to dedicate this run to her and to help keep her memory alive while raising awareness for all of the other children who are still desperately waiting.

“Talking about organ donation can feel difficult, but these conversations really can save lives. Please let this be your reminder to speak to your loved ones, tell them your wishes and have that conversation.”

There will also be a very special young member of the Red Sky family taking part in the Great North Run celebrations this weekend.

Beatrix Archbold will take on the Mini Great North Run, just four years after she was critically ill in hospital waiting for a new heart.

After an agonising 14-month wait, Beatrix’s family finally received the call they had been desperately hoping for when a donor heart became available in 2023.

To record your organ donation decision and find out more, visit: www.organdonation.nhs.uk