Sunderland fans cheer as Hays manager’s grandson completes charity challenge

The 10-year-old grandson of Hays Travel branch manager Colin Burns has raised £4,285 for Prostate Cancer UK after completing the charity’s marathon challenge on Saturday (January 31).

 

George signed up to ‘Run the Month’ – which challenges people complete 26.2 miles, equivalent to a marathon, throughout January – to support the charity and his grandad, who is undergoing treatment for prostate cancer.

 

Proud grandad Colin, manager at Gateshead and long-time Travel Weekly columnist, said dozens of family members, friends, Sunderland fans from the ‘Heaven’ and ’This is Wearside’ supporters groups, and members of the public cheered George as he completed his final half-mile over a bridge in the city, wearing his Prostate Cancer UK t-shirt.

 

After he ran through the ribbon, he was presented with a medal and a trophy to mark his achievement.

 

“It felt unbelievable and totally overwhelming,” said Colin.

 

Sunderland football club legend Gary Bennett – who also has prostate cancer – recorded a video congratulating George.

 

And while the family was celebrating in a nearby pub afterwards, they met Charlotte Crosby, star of the Geordie Shore reality show.

 

“George went over, told her his tale and got a selfie with his trophy,” said Colin.

 

“George was like a celebrity on Saturday. Running that last half-mile section, he could see the supporters’ flags and wondered what was happening…he’s back down to earth and back at school now!”

 

More: Grandson of Hays manager Colin Burns takes on charity challenge

 

Colin said the fundraising total went “a bit mad” last week after George’s story was featured in Travel Weekly.

 

“Hays branches all over the country sent messages of support and good wishes for me and George,” he said, noting that branches in Gateshead and Stanley in County Durham are arranging fundraisers to add to George’s overall total.

 

“The Gateshead branch is arranging a raffle and Stanley is doing a marathon a week, between staff members,” he said.

 

The Travel Weekly article was also shared on social media with one of the Sunderland AFC groups which led to a donation from a local radio match commentator.

 

Furthermore, the commentator’s wife heads the SAFC supporters’ Heaven branch and she arranged for the group to be at the finish line with flags and banners.

 

The surge in donations also meant that George rose from 10th in the national league table of fundraisers for the event to fifth, as his total rose from £2,640 to £4,285 – with pledges of more donations to come.

 

“George is amazing. He wants to do more running now – his mum has had to buy new running shoes to keep up with him,” said Colin.

 

“He’s a great lad, top of his class and captain of his cricket team – he’s got great genes!”

 

To find out more about George’s fundraiser and to donate, click here.

 

To watch George cross the finish line, click here.