Adrienne Williams of Bury St Edmunds celebrates 60th birthday by taking on Great North Run

Adrienne Williams, 59, of Bury St Edmunds, has chosen a unique way to celebrate her upcoming 60th birthday - by taking on the Great North Run.

She will join 60,000 other participants who are also taking on the 13.1-mile run on Sunday.

Adrienne has worked with Save the Children for the past nine years and she was inspired to take on the challenge after watching the event on TV in 2023.

She said: “I decided to do the Great North Run as a challenge for my 60th birthday after being inspired watching people do it on the TV - I thought: I can do that.

"I am privileged to see the impact fund-raising has in my role at Save the Children to transform the lives and rights of children all over the world.

“As a complete non-runner, this will be by far my biggest sporting achievement.

“I have begun to get over my nerves and I am excited to be part of such huge event especially as so many people have supported me, I am determined not to let them down.”

Adrienne took part in a local half marathon in 2017 but this will be her first time competing in a large event.

Although she admitted she does not like to exercise, she said she has been blown away by people’s support and generosity.

She initially aimed to raise £1,000 for Save the Children but has already surpassed £1,900 and hopes to increase that total further.

To donate to Adrienne’s fund-raiser and help raise even more funds for Save The Children, please visit her JustGiving page by following www.justgiving.com/page/adrienne-williams-great-north-run.

Helen Slee, community fund-raising and engagement manager at Save the Children UK, said: “We are incredibly impressed and grateful to Adrienne for taking on such a big challenge for her birthday.

“Her commitment to fund-raising and running means we can carry out life-changing work for children across the globe.”