Wednesday 13 August 2014

Former policeman from Crook with multiple sclerosis to be pushed round BUPA Great North Run for charity

Ossie OutersideA FORMER policeman who developed multiple sclerosis after running the first ever Great North Run is tackling this year's race in a wheelchair.
Ossie Outterside, 67, completed the Newcastle to South Shields half marathon in 1981 with pal Norman Clarke.
They were two of the 12,000 runners to cover the 13.1mile course while raising funds for charity.
Mr Outterside succumbed to multiple sclerosis 21-years ago. He is now in a wheelchair and is a resident of Bradbury House, Crook, County Durham - run by Leonard Cheshire Disability.
He is part of a team, which includes staff members and fellow resident John Broadley, 49, who has spina bifida.
The pair will be pushed round the half marathon course in their wheelchairs by care home staff on September 7 as part of the race.
Mr Outterside spent 26 and a half years as a police constable covering Darlington, Newton Aycliffe, Bishop Auckland and Barnard Castle.
He said: “I liked running when I did the first race and we raised quite a lot of money for good causes.
“It was hard but there was a great atmosphere. I ran the Great North Run twice. I’m looking forward to this year’s race and I’m especially looking forward to the finishing line.”
Michelle Cooper, Debi Parker, Carol Carr and Sarah Bowes who work at the home, on Worthington Close, will push the wheelchairs.
Care home volunteers Jason Bailey and Glyn Burlingson and Mrs Parker’s husband, Steven, will also help.
Fellow staff member Olena Rusa is also running the race but not as part of the wheelchair team.
They are all aiming to raise £2,500 for Leonard Cheshire Disability to use to help Bradbury House patients.
Mrs Parker said: “We’ve been to Hamsterley Forest to do some training. We pushed the wheelchairs for about five and a half miles.
“We’re going to do some more training. It will be hard but we will be taking turns with the pushing and we’re excited and looking forward to it. We hope to take three hours.”
To sponsor the runners visit justgiving.com/BradburyHouse/ or text LCDB69 plus a cash figure to 70070.

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