Tuesday 12 April 2011

Additional Kit Sponsor - Sport Newcastle

I'm pleased and very proud actually, to announce that a third local organisation has become a kit sponsor of Run Geordie Run.

St Benedict's Hospice and The Children's Foundation will benefit from this sponsorship deal. I'm extremely grateful for Sport Newcastle's support. I've been aware of the work that the organisation do for some time now. They recently held their annual sports awards dinner where Kevin Nolan was named North East Sports Personality of The Year.

Here is a brief summary of the organisation.

"Sport Newcastle are a voluntary organisation that have been working in Newcastle for over forty years. Their aim is to encourage the development of sport in the City by offering funding opportunities to men, women and children seeking to realise their sporting dream. Whether backing community projects or local clubs, elite international athletes or individuals of regional repute, we try to promote success through sport.



All of their funding is generated through sponsorship and events, the main fundraiser is the Sport Newcastle Annual Dinner staged at Newcastle’s Civic Centre in March each year. This event is attended by the city’s sporting heroes past, present and future and culminating in the presentation of the prestigious Sports Personality of the Year award. Some of the biggest names in North East sport have received the award over the years including Jonny Wilkinson, Kevin Keegan, Paul Gascoigne, Glen McCrory and most recently Kevin Nolan.



They currently operate a Sports Scholarship scheme in partnership with local companies and individuals which allows eleven talented local athletes receive sponsorship to help them achieve their sporting ambitions. These include Olympic hopeful athletes Ryan McLeod and Lauren Dewdney, Swimmer Jessica Thielman, Gymnast Grace Imeson, Judo Player Louise Little and Basketball Player and Newcastle Eagle Ross Wilson. In addition to the scholarship scheme individual grant applications are considered four times a year by a committee of Trustees."

Sport Newcastle join McCowie and Co and Digital Spark as sponsors of my kit. My kit is on the way to the printers this morning to have logos applied. There is an outside chance that the final kit sponsor's place could be filled today but the printing deadline looms.

Thanks to Sport Newcastle for their valuable support.