We have 14 fantastic runners representing Action Foundation this year raising money to support our projects supporting vulnerable refugees, asylum seekers and other migrants in Newcastle, Gateshead and Sunderland!  If you would like to help them to reach their fundraising targets please go to our Virgin Money Giving page.

The Great North Run takes place on 9 September and our team will be joining over 55,000 other runners so let’s help them along! If you can help cheer them along the route or the finish line get in touch with Nikki McCann at [email protected]

Here is the first of our RUNNERS STORIES: Dominic Bourn

I have always had a heart for social justice. I became a secondary school teacher so that I could impact the lives of vulnerable children from the inner city. I have worked taught in the UK, Africa and Asia to serve the neediest children. In the UK I have worked with the Emmanuel Schools Foundation for 15 years because it is an organisation that provides the ideal opportunity to serve children within the context of a Christian ethos school. Quite a number of our students at Emmanuel College have had to flee from war zones or persecution. I have been deeply moved by their personal stories. In 2015 we saw the devastating photos of a baby washed up on the beach in Greece after the refugee boat he was in capsized. This had a massive and moving impact on many of our students at Emmanuel. Students wanted to raise money to send to the refugees arriving in Europe and they wanted to make a difference. This is how I first became aware of the work of Action Foundation and other refugee charities in the North East. It has been a privilege to meet Julian and see the work that Action Foundation have been doing.

My training so far … I am trying to get out for a jog three times per week. I live in Whickham so I run a 2.5 mile loop twice a week and then a 5 mile loop around Watergate park, Sunniside and Whickham at the weekends. I love getting out for a run and am especially thankful that we have some fantastic tracks and trails through woods and fields. However I have slowed down a bit with the recent heat wave…..

Keep going Dom – we’re all behind you!! 
To donate to Dom please go to: https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-display/showROFundraiserPage?userUrl=DominicBourn&pageUrl=1