Last year, over 150 runners donned the iconic red running vest of Team Red Sky and joined the start line for Sunderland City 10k, Half Marathon and Active Sunderland’s BIG 3k races. The runners collectively raised over £9,500 for the Red Sky Foundation, a North East-based charity helping babies, children and adults with heart conditions and needing cardiac care. For Sunderland City Runs in 2024, founders Sergio and Emma Petrucci are hoping to witness a sea of Red Sky runners in Sunderland, raising money for their vital work in the local area.
Team Red Sky runners have already been preparing for this year’s Sunderland City Runs, signing up for the races and beginning their fundraising efforts. Graham Golden and Ross Burnham are two runners who have represented Red Sky Foundation at previous running events, and are eagerly looking forward to returning to Sunderland in May.
Graham Golden’s fitness journey began when he signed up for the 2023 Kielder Marathon. As a smaller milestone during training, he signed up for the Sunderland City Half Marathon and was contacted by #TeamRedSky to support them and wear the red running vest. “Up until the race, the support was great and after completing the event I was greeted by Sergio and offered a beer and a massage and treated like royalty!”
He was then offered the chance to represent Red Sky again at the Durham City 10k. “I jumped at the chance,” he says. “Another event to keep me on track!”
After running the Great North Run for Red Sky too, Graham’s last event of the year was Kielder Marathon. “Not the fastest time, but from being 22.7 to running this at 15 stone was beyond what I wanted to accomplish,” he says. Initially getting into running for weight loss, he is proud of the progress he has made over the last year. “I honestly think Events of the North and Red Sky have massively helped over the last 12 months.”
Ross Burnham is another #TeamRedSky runner supporting the charity in Sunderland. Ross was introduced to the charity by friends who had previously been part of the team. Ross also witnessed Red Sky’s amazing work when his colleague’s daughter was seriously ill and Red Sky worked tirelessly to support the family during the difficult time. “It’s a great charity and I can’t wait to be part of the team again to help raise more money to help make a difference,” he says.
Pictured below: Ross at Sunderland City Runs 2023, where he raised vital funds for Red Sky Foundation.
Sunderland City Runs 2024 will take place on 12th May. Entries are now open for the 10k and Half Marathon.
To find out more about the work Red Sky Foundation do in the North East, and to run for the charity, visit their website.
