Alan Shearer joins TSG to launch Donor Run

Some of TSG’s fittest and supportive runners joined local hero Alan Shearer and The Freeman Hospital Heart & Lung Team to launch the Speedflex Donor Run, part of the Westfield Health British Transplant Games, which take place across NewcastleGateshead this summer. 

Shearer, who is director and ambassador for Speedflex the Donor Run’s sponsors, said: “The Donor Run is a celebration of organ and bone marrow transplantation. Every year members of the public come together with transplant athletes and members of the Donor Family network – whose loved ones have given the ultimate gift of life – to raise awareness and vital funds for the British Transplant Games.

This year’s Donor Run is on Saturday 1^st August on NewcastleGateshead’s Quayside. It is open to members of the public and corporate teams with two distances to choose from, 3k and 5k.  Regular runners include transplant athletes and members of the Donor Family Network.

TSG have a growing group of runners taking part who are all raising money for the British Transplant Games. HR Director Ayshea Robertson, Andy Stevens and Sarah Bartlett, both from the Project Management Office are already signed up and went to give “Big Al” a help with the launch. 

Graham Wylie, TSG’s Founder and Chairman of the Local Organising Committee for the Transplant Games, said: “I’m delighted that as well as Speedflex – TSG, Gentoo, 3663 and Express Engineering have all put teams forward to take part in the Donor Run. I’d strongly encourage other local businesses to rally members of their team together. Not only will you have the chance to take part in one of the biggest events to land on Tyneside this year, you’ll also actively support a truly important cause.”

Three people die every day waiting for an organ transplant. In the North East alone, there are currently more than 300 people waiting for transplants and sadly around 30 people die waiting every year. By supporting the British Transplant Games through taking part in the Donor Run, members of TSG and the public will play a huge part in promoting awareness.

Thanks to Cheralyn Roden for her photography, more photos from the launch can be seen here.