A group of six staff from Harrogate Town AFC took part in the Great North Run to generate donations for their club's community foundation. The team, made up of community coaches and other club staff, finished the half-marathon course between Newcastle and South Shields alongside many other runners.
Community coaches Aaron Philps and Seb Henry were first-time finishers of the race. They prepared for the event over several months while continuing their usual work running football, physical education, and community initiatives. They were joined by Lizzie Vangorph, Jon Vangorph, Oliver Aksoy, and Rose Haigh, with every member of the group completing the course.
During the event, Seb Henry got a high-five from Dan Burn, a defender for Newcastle United and the England national team. Lizzie and Jon Vangorph had run for the foundation before, and this year was Lizzie's tenth time participating in the Great North Run. The event started with a flypast by the Red Arrows.
A representative from the Harrogate Town AFC Community Foundation commended the runners' work. "Together, our participants have already given a great deal to the Foundation and the many individuals who use our services all year," the spokesperson stated. They also said, "We are extremely grateful to Aaron, Seb, Lizzie, Jon, Oliver, and Rose for their amazing commitment."
The money collected will aid the foundation's projects supporting young people, families, and communities in the Harrogate area. The full amount raised is currently being tallied and will be shared at a later date.
This fundraising initiative coincides with the senior team getting ready for upcoming National League matches. Their performance data indicates they have been scoring at a rate of 1.8 goals per game this campaign. Harrogate Town are positioned fifth in the league table, having accumulated 16 points from nine matches. Their latest results include three victories in their previous five games.
The original report is at Your Harrogate
