A BRAVE nurse from a Rugby care home is taking on the gruelling Great North Run this weekend to raise money for a charity close to his heart.
Thomas Hodges, who works as a Dementia Specialist Nurse at Barchester Healthcare’s Overslade House, will lace up his trainers and tackle the 13.1 mile half marathon course that starts in Newcastle upon Tyne and takes thousands of runners over the iconic Tyne Bridge.
He is taking on the challenge to raise funds for Barchester’s Charitable Foundation, which helps adults living with a disability or a mental health condition to connect or re-connect with others in their communities.
A keen runner, Tom has been training hard in the Lake District and hopes his hilly runs will give him an advantage over the relatively flat Great North Run course.
He said: “This is my second race fund-raising for the Foundation and I’m really excited to take part.
“I got into running about five years ago and I absolutely love it, despite having had a fair few injuries.
“I’m hoping to raise lots of money for the Foundation. I know all the staff, residents and relatives at Overslade House Care Home and my friends and family are all behind me. Their support – plus the money I’m raising – will help me go the distance.”
Tom will take part in the run on Sunday (September 7). Visit https://ajbellgreatnorthrun2025.enthuse.com/pf/tom-hodges to donate.
