ATHLETICS legend Steve Cram has been discussing his career with patients at a North East hospice.
He joined the St Cuthbert’s Hospice’s Sporting Memories Group on Friday (April 1) to talk and hear other guests share their own recollections of the role that sport has played in their lives.
Cram was visiting St Cuthbert’s to find out more about the projects that will benefit from funds raised by participants at this year’s Durham City Run Festival, which will take place on July 15 and 16.
Steve said: "I’ve been working in sport all of my life, so of course it dominates my own memories, but we live in a region where sport is a massive part of our whole culture, and we can use it to help people who are dealing with the early stages of dementia.
"Talking to guests at the Sporting Memories Group was wonderful – their own passion about sport of all types shone through and it was a privilege to spend some time with them.
"It’s also great to gain a better understanding of one of the projects at St Cuthbert’s Hospice that directly benefits from money raised during the Durham City Run Festival.”
Organised by Events of the North, in partnership with Durham County Council and Durham University, the 2022 Durham City Run Festival will see the return of the popular Durham City Run 10K and 5K races, along with the Run Like a Legend Mile, Paula Radcliffe’s Families on Track, and a series of themed runs.
During the same week, from July 8-17, Durham BRASS Festival will be taking place and will have a presence at Durham City Run Festival events.
Both festivals feature in the county’s bid for Durham to be named UK City of Culture 2025, highlighting the role that sport plays in County Durham’s cultural landscape.
St Cuthbert’s Hospice has been the official charity partner of the Durham City Run Festival since 2019 and each year recruits runners to take part in the various races to raise money that helps fund projects in Durham.
The Sporting Memories Group meets weekly to support people in the early stages of dementia.
The sessions use sport to engage with individuals and help them recall and reflect on memories that have helped shape their lives.
Steve Cram sat down with guests at the Sporting Memories Group and talked about his career in athletics, from the early days as an up and coming junior at Jarrow & Hebburn AC, through to winning a gold medal in the World Athletics Championships in 1983 and setting three world records in just 19 days two years later.
Cram then chatted with the other guests about their own sporting memories, and what those meant to them.
St Cuthbert’s Sporting Memories Group is one of the projects that is sustained by funds raised by the hospice’s supporters during events like the Durham City Run Festival.
David McLoughlin, day services manager at St Cuthbert’s Hospice, added: “It’s been a genuine pleasure to welcome Steve to the group today.
"The guests thoroughly enjoyed his chat and hearing about his sporting career.
"There were lots of laughs and memories discussed.
"Experiences such as this help us to make every day count for the people we support and care for.
"Runners who have taken part in the Durham City Run for St Cuthbert’s have raised over £13,500 to date. It’s a fantastic sum that helps us to keep on caring.”
St Cuthbert’s Hospice will have a team of 40 fundraisers running at events at this year’s Durham City Run Festival.
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There are a few places left on the team and anyone else who wants to raise money for the hospice can request a fundraising pack. To find out more, email fundraising@stcuthbertshospice.com, call the St Cuthbert’s team on 0191 386 1170 (option 5), or sign up online.
Standard places on the Durham City Run Festival events can be booked here
Entries for the Durham City Run 5K (open to those aged 11 and above) cost £16, while the 10K (ages 15 and above) costs £24 for members of affiliated clubs (£26 for unaffiliated runners).
The Run Like a Legend Mile costs £8 and it’s £45 to enter a family of three, four or five into Paula’s Families on Track.
For all of the latest news about the 2022 Durham City Run Festival, visit the website, follow @eventsofthenorth_ on Instagram, @eventsOTN on Twitter, or search for the event on Facebook.
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