A FATHER and daughter are raisings funds for their local air ambulance by doing the Great North Run in tribute to a beloved mam and wife who sadly died five years ago.
Caroline Hewison, 43, was found unconscious at her home in Burnopfield, County Durham, on 30 April 2017.
Her husband Christopher Hewison rang the emergency services and the North East Ambulance Service arrived on scene, shortly followed by the Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS).
Read more: The biggest Covid fines given to Darlington and Teesside people
Mr Hewison said: “It was all a bit of a blur. The neighbour looked after the little one, Jen, and I tried to do CPR before the ambulance came, and GNAAS turned up very quickly afterwards.”
Mrs Hewison was airlifted to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle but despite the best efforts of everyone involved, she sadly died that day.
Mr Hewison said: “Jen had just turned five so I told her that GNAAS had given her mam a lift up to heaven.
“Caroline had suffered mental health issues which Jen was aware of, and in 2018 she begged me to do the Mini Great North Run with her, and I also did the Great North Run to raise money for Mind, which was ‘mam’s charity’.
“It was a very emotional day, and now five years have passed since Caroline died, so to mark the anniversary Jen had the idea to raise some money again for mam and do it for GNAAS.
Jen and her father will be doing the Junior Great North Run together, and then Mr Hewison will be taking part in the main Great North Run the following day.
Read more: Tributes paid to Middlesbrough head teacher after cancer battle
Speaking about his wife, Mr Hewison said: “Caroline was a very bubbly character, who was very into her sports.
"Everyone knew her as the life and soul of the party, and she always put her foot in her mouth saying something funny. She constantly went above and beyond for people and would either volunteer herself or volunteer me to do something, like dress up at kid’s parties. Very few people knew that she was struggling with her mental health.”
The father and daughter team have already raised £460 for GNAAS in Caroline’s memory and recently visited the charity’s base and met paramedic Jamie Walsh who came to the aid of Caroline.
Mr Hewison said: “I think GNAAS is incredible. You could tell the people who were on the helicopter were very skilled and by having this service it gave her a chance. I think it’s vital that GNAAS is supported.”
GNAAS have charity places available for the Great North Run, which require runners to raise a minimum of £300. For those interested you can sign up here: https://gna.as/GNR2022 To support Christopher and Jen’s fundraising visit: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/chris-hewison3
Keep up to date with all the latest news on our website, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
You can also follow our dedicated County Durham Facebook page for all the latest in the area by clicking here.
For all the top news updates from right across the region straight to your inbox, sign up to our newsletter here.
Have you got a story for us? Contact our newsdesk on newsdesk@nne.co.uk or contact 01325 505054
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here