Supporter Spotlight: Great North Runner Margaret Thompson
Running in Honour
We are delighted to have GWT Supporter Margaret Thompson running her 17th AJ Bell Great North Run for us today. Margaret is running in honour of her late father, George Russel, who travelled to Hong Kong by sea when he was doing his National Service. The impression that the Gurkhas onboard left with him made a real impact. “He always spoke so highly of them, of their respect”.
Margaret recalls how her father would recount the story told to him by the Gurkhas about how once a Kukhri was drawn, blood must be spilled, even if they had to nick their own finger.
“He said how likeable they all were, months after they had met, he would meet them again and they would say ‘you were on the boat!’ They remembered him, they were always so courteous and polite.”
Margaret’s Running Journey
Margaret began running in 2003 following the passing of her dog, missing the daily walks outside, she laced up her running shoes and started a new passion that has since seen her complete an impressive number of running challenges.
“The first race was a 5k race for life the day before my 40th birthday. The next year I did my first Great North Run and have now done 16. I’ve gone on to do four London marathons and over 200 half marathons, we have travelled from Edinburgh to Brighton and Wales to London and met some amazing people”.
With her husband Richard by her side as her support crew, Margaret has faced blistering heat, biblical rain, howling gales and a blizzard – an ode to the Great British Weather. Despite this, she is still determined to “keep going as long as my legs will play”.
Celebrating Our Incredible Fundraisers
We would like to say a huge thank you to Margaret, and all of our supporters who have taken on a run or challenge in aid of the Trust this year. The funds raised have continued to make a significant impact to the lives of Gurkha veterans, their widows and their communities over in Nepal.
Interested in completing a challenge for The Gurkha Welfare Trust? Click here