A huge good luck to the Great North Run TeamCHECT runners taking on the half marathon challenge on the 10 September. The runners will be pounding the 13.1mile stretch across Newcastle for CHECT – here you can learn a bit about them:
Becky Mather 
Hi, I am Becky, 27 years old. This will be my second year of running the Great North Run. I have chosen to run for CHECT as this is a charity very close to our family’s hearts. My cousin Freddie was diagnosed with retinoblastoma, this resulted in him having to have one of his eyes removed. This charity has been amazing to Freddie and his family.
Shaun Heelbeck
In June 2020, amid a lockdown, Noëlle was diagnosed with retinoblastoma at 17 months old. In response, her father Shaun devised a unique fundraising challenge: The Great Noëlle Run, his take on the Great North Run involving 13 Half Marathons! Shaun immediately embarked on this journey, concluding with his final run in October 2020.
In 2022, Shaun proudly became a part of TeamCHECT, successfully conquering his first in-person Great North Run. This year, Shaun continues his inspiring commitment, rejoining us to run for the benefit of CHECT and Noëlle.
Shaun says: “Hearing the words ‘risk to life’ is unbearable and something no parent should ever hear. Words cannot describe how devastating the diagnosis was to our family. Seeing Noëlle fight so hard and the other little Rb warriors, this has inspired me to fight for them in as many fundraising challenges as possible.”
Nicola Regan, Julie Shaw and Sarah Hill
Nicola, Jules and Sarah take on (Daisy’s Dash) GNR for CHECT and Daisy!
At the age of just 1 years old Daisy (Nicola’s daughter) was diagnosed with retinoblastoma. Immediately plans were put in place to travel to London to see the specialists. Unfortunately, there was nothing that could be done to save Daisy’s eye and she had to have an enucleation. Hearts were shattered, but it didn’t end there, she went on to need chemotherapy too. At this devastating time, CHECT were an amazing support, giving their expertise, time, a listening ear, a shoulder to cry on and even financial support.
We are over the moon to be able to give something back with this challenge! Daisy is now a beautiful, confident, chatty 3 year old who loves life. Nothing holds her back. She’s come so far and is our superhero. We’re hoping we can do her and CHECT proud 🤍
Sonia Percival
I met a very special lady some years ago. Kate, a truly amazing person with a heart of gold. Kate and her family experienced the impact of childhood eye cancer. Losing her eye as a baby Kate has faced the world with a huge challenge but despite this, she is one of the most kind, happy, beautiful, funny and amazing women I’ve ever met! Kate has a heart of gold and phenomenal courage! She has made me realise that life can be difficult, but we can achieve anything if we have the love and support of our family and friends to get us through these difficult times! I am truly in awe of Kate! She is a remarkable lady and I feel blessed to have her in my life! I am running this one for her and all the other families that have experienced childhood eye cancer!
Oliver Macara
I have decided to take part in the Great North Run to raise money for CHECT. My younger brother was diagnosed with retinoblastoma (Rb), a rare form of cancer, when he was a baby and CHECT have always made themselves available to support my family any time they have needed it. I hope that by participating in the run on behalf of CHECT I will be able to raise funds to support this amazing charity as well as help promote awareness of Rb.
Would you like to take on a challenge for CHECT? Visit our website, or contact our fundraising team: fundraising@chect.org.uk