Hebburn Helps Founder Takes On Two Big Runs for Street Watch

Angie Comerford, the founder of Hebburn's much-loved charity Hebburn Helps, has swapped fundraising for the food bank for a personal challenge well outside her comfort zone. She has laced up her running shoes for two demanding events to raise money for Women's Street Watch Newcastle.

Two runs, one cause

Angie set her sights on the Great North Run, the famous Tyneside half marathon, on Sunday 13 September, before then doubling the distance to take on the York Marathon on Sunday 18 October. Better known for coordinating emergency food parcels and crisis support than for distance running, she has been open about the fact that the events are, in her words, "way out of her comfort zone". That she is doing them anyway says a great deal about how strongly she feels about the cause.

Who the money helps

The funds are going to Women's Street Watch Newcastle, a group of volunteers based in Newcastle city centre who are out every weekend from 10pm until 2am, looking out for women who find themselves in vulnerable situations on a night out and making sure they get home safely. Angie has described the volunteers as "amazing", and her runs are a way of giving something back to a group that quietly keeps people safe week in, week out.

Best for:

Anyone wanting to support Angie's fundraising or find out more about Hebburn Helps can do so through the charity's own channels. Every donation goes towards the volunteers who keep women safe on nights out in Newcastle.

A familiar community champion

Angie is no stranger to raising money for good causes, and Hebburn Helps has become one of the town's most visible community institutions, run largely by volunteers from its base at the Mountbatten Shopping Centre. Turning her own energy towards another grassroots group is very much in keeping with the spirit of the charity she built.

Her challenge was reported by the Shields Gazette. It is a fine example of one community group cheering on and supporting another.