23/08/2012…Flood victim to run for charity that came to his rescue
A man whose daughter was helped by a little-known service when their home was wrecked by flooding, intends to take part in The Great North Run to raise funds for the charity.
This year’s GNR, on September 16, will be the 19th for Steve Bannister, best known as the joint founder of the Thame Arts & Literary Festival. Steve has lived and worked in Thame for 20 years and explains his motivation for his marathon challenge with his familiar, ‘Geordie’ humour:
“After 18 Great North Runs, you would think I might have got the hang of it by now! Every year it gets a bit longer and the hills get a bit steeper but I will not go quietly into that good night. As Dylan Thomas would have it, I will rage and rage again against the dying of the light!”
Every year Steve, as he puts it himself, likes “to connect the trauma of running 21kms from Newcastle to the Seaside to a good cause and some people very kindly sponsor us. The more committed spend an hour and a half staring at the television to see if we can be seen amongst the 49,999 other runners crossing the Tyne Bridge, and that we are actually running! In 19 attempts, I have not made the Telly yet ? but I have always made it to South Shields!”
The Red Cross to the rescue
In December 2010, the night before Steve and his partner returned from a trip abroad, their house was completely wrecked due to burst pipes. Their daughter discovered the water streaming down the stairs and through the ceilings and called the fire brigade who worked through the night to rescue what they could. They in turn called the Red-Cross who arrived with a large ‘camper-van’ fully equipped to look after a very wet, somewhat traumatised young lady. Having done what they could at the site, administering tea and comfort and practical support, they booked a hotel and took her along so she didn’t have to worry about anything.
Steve said: “Whilst our experience is trivial compared to many, I had no idea the Red Cross ran such a service and in more serious circumstances I can understand its value. I can imagine a serious fire or traffic accident or similar.
“This run is dedicated to thank the team that worked all night to help us even though we didn’t know we needed it and to help ensure the service can continue for others.”
Anyone who would like to If you would like to sponsor Steve Bannister’s 19th Great North Run, and help this very valuable service, you can find full details on the website:
