Couch to 5k success prompts race for Teesdale Day Clubs

A county councillor is to celebrate completing a couch to 5k programme by running a race for Teesdale Day Clubs.

Cllr Jill Campbell, who represents the Lower Teesdale Ward, will be taking on the annual Cotherstone 6k/10k challenge later this month.

She started Teesdale Athletic Club’s couch to 5k in March.

Cllr Campbell said: “I just decided I need to get fit this year and I thought it would be nice if there was a local training group and I found out it was Teesdale Athletic Club that were running it.

“It was really good fun. It was a nice group, it was about ten people.

“You get to run all around Barnard Castle. We ran around The Bowes Museum a couple of times.

“It was a lovely evening just running around the grounds.

“It took me to all the places I didn’t know about in Barnard Castle, all the back routes.

“In the end I feel very fit now.”

Through others in the club, she learned about the annual event at Cotherstone.

Cllr Campbell said: “I thought if I do this I would like to have a goal at the end of it, and I thought charity.

“I thought the Day Clubs are brilliant. Rural isolation is a big thing, and I can see them do real, actual work. I have seen people there meeting up with old friends. I know their big problem is funding running costs, so I hope I can help with that.”

Cllr Campbell run for 30 minutes times a week in preparation for her first race which takes place on Saturday, July 25.

Teesdale Day Clubs were thrilled that they were chosen by Cllr Campbell.

Amanda Raine from the charity said: “On behalf of all our lunch club members, activity participants, volunteers, staff team and trustees, a big thank you to Jill for running to raise funds for Teesdale Day Clubs.

“As a small charity we are very appreciative, as the money raised will help towards our core running costs.”

People can support the fundraising effort by visiting https://gofund.me/125aa4d8e