Four Cumbrians take on the Great North Run for MND

One of runners who will be taking part on Sunday, is Adam Barker from Barrow-in-Furness.

He will be joined by his dad, Graham, brother, Chris and their friend, Neil Irving.

Chris, Neil, Adam and Graham also took part in the Great North Run last year (Image: Adam Barker)

International equine master visits Cumbrian riding school, read more.

On Sunday September 8, The AJ Bell Great North Run will follow a 13.1-mile route from Newcastle to South Shields.

The event will see 60,000 runners take part in the world’s biggest half marathon and raise money for their chosen charities.

The four runners from Furness have chosen to raise money for The Darby Rimmer MND Foundation, which provides support to people living with motor neurone disease.

MND is a neurological condition which affects the nerves in the brain and spinal cord, affecting a person’s control of their body. Symptoms include muscle weakness, twitches, slurred speech and difficulty swallowing, which worsen over time.

Adam said the reason why they have chosen to run the half marathon, is to raise awareness for the disease and to donate as much money as possible.

The funds raised will go towards assisting with research into the condition, so that hopefully, one day a cure will be found for this ‘brutal illness’.

This year, Adam said the Darby Rimmer MND Foundation will have around 85 people all running the streets to raise as much as they can.

Read more about the missing cat, found after 19 months.

Adam Barker, pictured at the start line of the Great North Run last year (Image: Adam Barker)

‘Team Barker’ have set up a Just Giving Page, with a target of raising £500, which they managed to achieve on Friday, with donations from 37 supporters.

The four men also took part in the run last year and raised an impressive sum of £900 between them all.

“I’m feeling excited to be a part of the world’s biggest half marathon,” Adam said, “The GNR is my favourite half marathon to run. The atmosphere is incredible and the people from Newcastle to South Shield are truly amazing in showing their support.”

Business in the Lake District for sale after 4 months of trade, read more here.

With the race kicking off from the centre of Newcastle-Upon-Tyne at 10:55am, Adam’s team will be setting off from Barrow at 4:45am.

After an early morning start, they aim to reach the city around 8:30am to allow plenty of time to park and head into the centre.

The run will be broadcast live on BBC One from 10am.