Running for Dad: Why Helen is running the Great North Run for Winston’s Wish

On 7th September, Helen will be running the Great North Run for Winston’s Wish with a picture of her dad on her vest. He died when Helen was just nine and he was a keen runner. Inspired by her dad, Helen decided to run to raise money to ensure other grieving children can get support from Winston’s Wish. The support that nine-year-old Helen needed.

Helen tells us all about her inspiration for running the Great North Run, why she choose to support Winston’s Wish and her experience as a bereaved child:

I had read about Winston’s Wish online, and the first time I came across their webpage, I sobbed! Proper sobbed my heart out! Because there was someone, someone out there for the broken nine-year-old that lives inside of me. Children who were experiencing my kind of grief were able to receive compassionate support at Winston’s Wish. I now knew who I would run a race in memory of my dad for. I had my charity!

Helen

What inspired you to run the Great North Run?

“I idolised my dad; we were the best of pals. We did lots of outdoor activities together, one of which was running. Dad was a fell runner, and on practice nights with the local association, we’d run around the town green as he warmed up for his fell run. I’d struggle to keep up, but he’d encourage me. I can still see him smiling down at me now, running alongside.

“I remember watching the first London Marathon with Dad, and him telling me how fantastic it was and that one day he would like to run a big city race.

“It has been in my mind since my dad died that I have wanted to run a race to make him proud of his daughter. You wouldn’t believe how many times I’ve tried to learn to run; there’s been many, many failed attempts. In the Spring of last year, I’d been listening to the Chris Evans Breakfast show, and their team had just completed the London Marathon. Their enthusiasm for running made me download the Couch-to-5k app and have a bash at this running lark one final time!”

I’m filled with nervous excitement for the Great North Run, my Running with Dad part 2, but I know it will be a privilege to run this iconic race with dad’s photo on my Winston’s Wish vest and with him in my heart too, chugging round the course for the deserving young people who are supported by the work of Winston’s Wish.

Helen

Why did you choose to support Winston’s Wish?

“I had read about Winston’s Wish online, and the first time I came across their webpage, I sobbed! Proper sobbed my heart out! Because there was someone, someone out there for the broken nine-year-old that lives inside of me. Children who were experiencing my kind of grief were able to receive compassionate support at Winston’s Wish. I now knew who I would run a race in memory of my dad for. I had my charity!”

“On a dark November day in 1981, my world changed forever. Nine-year-old me came down the stairs bleary-eyed to a house full of close family. In my heart, I knew there was something massively wrong. Mum told me my dad was dead, and I wouldn’t see him again.

“He had been killed by a drunk driver. I can remember that moment like it was yesterday, and it still takes my breath away even when I think about it now, forty-four years on. It is branded into my heart, and every time I recollect it, I feel the pain in my chest from the catastrophic shock of that day. The next week, my brother and I were back at school, and we were just expected to cope.

“When you’ve lost a parent, everything really does fall apart. My childhood was filled with worry and anxiety about things kids shouldn’t have to worry about. Mum was depressed and struggling to function.

“Days out didn’t feel right, holidays felt lonely as I looked on at other families with both mum and a dad having fun. Christmas was sad. New Year was worse, another one without him. There was a massive hole that couldn’t be filled. I also lost my only sibling, my nineteen-year-old brother, when I was twenty-two.

How has training been going and are you looking forward to the Great North Run?

“I’m not going to lie to you, learning to run and now training for the Great North Run is the hardest physical thing I’ve done in my life. When it’s got really tough dad’s spirit has encouraged me on and I’ve thought of all the young people who need help.

“In training for Winston’s Wish, I have pushed myself to my absolute limit. But I am pushing myself for that grieving child that still resides inside of me. And with every step of every training run, that nine-year-old girl within is healed a little bit more.

“I’m filled with nervous excitement for the Great North Run, my Running with Dad part 2, but I know it will be a privilege to run this iconic race with dad’s photo on my Winston’s Wish vest and with him in my heart too, chugging round the course for the deserving young people who are supported by the work of Winston’s Wish. And as I raise my arms as I cross the finish line, I will feel incredibly lucky.”

To follow Helen’s journey ahead of her Great North Run, take a look at her dedicated Just Giving page.

Feel inspired?

Has Helen’s Great North Run challenge inspired you? Put your best foot forward and join Team Winston in 2025 or 2026!

With hundreds of events happening across the UK and throughout the year, you can choose a challenge that matches your pace.