Fundraisers walk Great North Run to raise £3k for Steps4Kids

The ninth annual Christmas fundraising walk, organised by Northumbrian Water employee Steve Green, saw participants travel 13.5 miles from Newcastle to South Shields on December 6 in support of Steps4Kids.

Walkers dressed in Christmas-themed fancy dress and raised a total of £3,000 to help ensure no child wakes up without a gift on Christmas morning.

Led by Northumbrian Water employee Steve Green, festive fundraisers raised £3,000 for Steps4Kids by walking the 13.5-mile Great North Run route from Newcastle to South Shields (Image: Northumbrian Water)

Steve Green, who works in Northumbrian Water’s customer service team, said: "I'm really thrilled to have taken part in our ninth annual Steps4Kids walk and proud of all our colleagues from Northumbrian Water, as well as members of the community that completed the event that follows the 13.5-mile Great North Run route.

"Everyone looked amazing in Christmas fancy dress, and we had loads of fun and knowing that we were helping to make Christmas special for children who might otherwise go without makes it all worthwhile.

"Next year will be our tenth year and we would like to make it a special one, so we'll be racking our brains to make it better than ever."

Northumbrian Water is also proud to sponsor the Laffs4Kids Christmas Comedy Show at Newcastle’s Utilita Arena, organised by comedian Jason Cook.

The event encourages attendees to donate a gift to help children in need and features performances by some of the UK’s top comedians.

Volunteers from Northumbrian Water played a key role behind the scenes, helping to sort thousands of donated gifts.

Their involvement was backed by the company’s employee programmes, including ‘Cheque It Out’, which helps colleagues raise funds for local charities, and ‘Just an Hour’, which encourages employees to volunteer during their working week.

Louise Hunter, director of customer and corporate services at Northumbrian Water, said: "We’re committed to supporting our communities in many ways, through in-kind donations, sponsorships, community grants, backing our colleagues’ fundraising efforts, and enabling volunteering during working hours wherever possible.

"Laffs4Kids is an incredible charity with a truly heartfelt mission.

"Every year, being part of their work gives us a real sense of pride and joy as we help bring smiles to thousands of families across the North East.

"We feel deeply connected to the Laffs4Kids family; I feel very proud that we can play a small part in making sure that over 20,000 kids who wouldn't have otherwise got a Christmas present this year, get a surprise gift."