My Story

Hi everyone, my name’s Duncan and I’m excited to be taking part in this year’s Great North Run on behalf of Blue Spirit. This will be my first ever half-marathon – I usually only run if I’m late for the bus – but I can’t resist a challenge and Blue Spirit is a great cause.

Blue Spirit is a charity which aims to make a positive impact on mental health by working with young people, providing sailing experiences to those who are at a social or economic disadvantage, or facing a mental health crisis.

Whenever I’ve felt low, I’ve always found it helpful to be in nature - regular walks in the woods are part of my routine and I’ve always found it soothing to be close to water. Another thing I’ve found useful is being among like-minded people, working towards a common goal. Blue Spirit offers both of these things to young people: a renewed connection to the natural world and a connection to a team spirit or group energy.

With an increasing number of young people facing crises in their mental health, Blue Spirit is a charity which has come along at the right time. Please consider donating whatever you can to this amazing cause.

I look forward to running on behalf of Blue Spirit in September – see you at The Great North Run!

About Blue Spirit

Blue Spirit aims to boost mental health and help prevent suicidal ideation in young people, primarily by providing sailing experiences to youngsters who are experiencing a mental health challenge or social / economic disadvantage.

We work in partnership with experienced sail training organisations, through whom we can offer anything from dinghy sailing and courses to residential voyages.

We establish relationships with organisations working with young people from marginalised backgrounds. They are well-placed to identify those who would normally find it difficult to access this kind of activity, or who do not have other mental health support, e.g. young refugees / asylum-seekers who face cultural and linguistic challenges, as well as often having experienced trauma, or young people from other communities such as young carers or those from areas characterised by socio-economic deprivation, particularly in Newcastle & Gateshead.

Blue Spirit makes the experience affordable while helping groups discover an opportunity which would otherwise be out of their reach. We help those who are most likely to benefit from sailing, who are those least likely to be able to afford it. Research carried out by the National Centre for Social Research states that “people living in low-income households were far more likely to have been diagnosed with mental illness than those in high income households.”

Research has shown that being in ‘blue spaces’ can enhance wellbeing and reduce stress. Sailing helps develop essential life skills such as communication and teamwork. A sailing voyage takes people away from their usual surroundings and out of their ‘comfort zone’ and puts them into an alien environment where they must accept authority, live and work together. It is a chance to escape their daily reality, giving themselves and their caregivers a break, and try something fun and new.

Since August 2021, we have given around 160 young people from some of the most disadvantaged communities life-enhancing and sometimes life-changing experiences. Please help us continue our work and widen our reach!

About The Great North Run

60,000 determined and dedicated runners make the Great North Run the World’s biggest and best half marathon – famous for its warm North East welcome, unbeatable atmosphere and the millions raised for good causes. 

The Great North Run is an opportunity for us all to come together on the 7th September and support one another. Its magic can be hard to understand – until you have experienced it yourself. You’re guaranteed a running event like no other - and a finish line feeling you’ll never forget.

It's not all about the adults, the Junior & Mini Great North Run gives the bairns a chance to experience that finish line feeling, earn a special medal and raise money for good causes.