
“The Great North Run is something I have completed a few times, but this time was special as I was fundraising for Think Pacific. The run was on the 9th September and after a summer filled with BBQs, holidays and beer, it’s pretty fair to say I wasn’t that prepared for it really. I had done a few 5km runs, but seeing as the Great North Run itself is 21km (13.1 Miles), I knew it would be a big challenge. Fundraising went really well and my friends and family were very generous when they knew it was going to such a good cause in Think Pacific. Even some of my friends who I volunteered with on project sponsored me. The day of the run was a little nervy but very exciting too. The forecast was for cloudy, cool weather but it felt more like Fijian weather and was very warm and humid for a September Sunday in the Toon! As I ran over the Tyne Bridge and the Red Arrows flew over, my excitement levels raised and I began to enjoy the run. Maybe I enjoyed it a bit too much as after about 6 miles or so, I was in complete pain and could not wait for the run to be over and for me to be sipping on a beer in a pub in South Shields. After another agonising 6 miles, I crossed the finish line with a time of 1:58 and was pretty proud of myself. I was also really proud as I raised £250 for Think Pacific and I knew from my experiences of project, what that sum of money could achieve in Fiji.
To have the opportunity to challenge myself but to also raise awareness and money for Think Pacific was fantastic. Like I said, Think Pacific will always have a special place in my heart for all the amazing experiences it provided me and showed me how brilliant the Fijian people and culture are. I hope the money I raised will help others have these great experiences and to help those Fijian people.”
Tyler Holmes