Charity fun run celebrates 200 years of railway pride

The Locomotion Trail Run was organised by Jim Taylor, landlord of the Locomotion pub, in Eaglescliffe, and Sarah Cope, of the Orchard Eagles Running Club, in aid of Butterwick Hospice Care.

Members of the Orchard Eagles Running Club helped organise and marshal the run, with many also taking part

The event commemorated the 200th anniversary of the day Thomas Meynell, chairman of the Stockton and Darlington Railway, officially began construction of the railway by hammering in the first spike.

Among the spectators was 11-year-old Emilia Holder, great-granddaughter of Butterwick Hospice Care founder, Mary Butterwick. She said: “It’s really amazing to see everyone here to support the hospice, and I know my great nanna Mary will be watching very carefully today.

“She was someone who found a problem, and she just did everything she could to fix it. That’s basically what the world needs – if you see a problem try and fix it, and if you need help, go and ask for help.

“I want to say thank you very much to Jim, Sarah, the Eagles, the marshals, and everyone else for organising this and taking part. Their support means the Butterwick will be able to reach out and help more people with the money raised today.”

From left: Karen Holder, Emilia Holder, Jim Taylor, Matt Vickers MP, Mike Lawson - member pioneer for event sponsors The Co-Op, and Sarah Cope

The 10km run was officially started by Matt Vickers, member of Parliament for Stockton South. The female winner was Pauline Whittaker and the male winner was Sam Lister.

The run is expected to raise more than £500 for Butterwick Hospice Care, and was the first in a series of runs, with the second scheduled for September 25 to mark the anniversary of the first time a train travelled on the railway.

• Visit www.locomotioncharityrun.webstarts.com for more information about the Rail Trail Runs.
• For information on other upcoming events in aid of Butterwick Hospice Care, visit https://www.butterwick.org.uk/category-events-upcoming/ to find out how to get involved.