Alan Shearer and North East Mayor launch 'move a mile' challenge

Former Newcastle United and England captain Alan Shearer launched ‘Move a Mile’, a new fundraising challenge calling on the North East, and beyond, to help more children and adults with complex disabilities get the vital therapy they rely on.

Alan was joined by North East Mayor Kim McGuinness at the Alan Shearer Centre in West Denton to officially launch the challenge, which forms the newest phase of the Alan Shearer Foundation’s 'Million Pound Mission' appeal.

The pair completed the first official mile together before Mayor Kim toured the centre facilities and met with members and their families to see first-hand why the campaign to build a second hydrotherapy pool is so critical.

The ‘Move a Mile’ fundraising challenge has been designed so that anyone can take part. Participants are asked to walk, run, cycle or move one mile any way they can, make a donation, and nominate others to take on the challenge next.

The Foundation hopes people across the country will collectively complete 52,719 miles – one for every seat inside St James' Park – with schools, businesses, sports clubs and community groups already planning to get involved.

The challenge aims to support the Million Pound Mission's goal of raising £1 million for a second hydrotherapy pool. More than 10,000 members and their families now rely on the Alan Shearer Centre. Operated by regional charity St Cuthbert’s Care, the Centre works closely with the Alan Shearer Foundation to ensure its specialist facilities and support remain free and accessible for its members. However, demand has grown significantly, meaning that the Centre's existing pool can no longer keep pace, leaving families competing for limited therapy time.

Alan Shearer said: "It was great to welcome Kim to the Centre and show her first-hand the work that happens here. We're incredibly proud of how far we've come, but there is still much more to do.

"Demand for the Centre continues to grow, which is why we're raising £1 million to build a second hydrotherapy pool. Move a Mile is something everyone can get involved in, however they choose to, and every mile completed and every donation made will help more families get the support they need.

"I'd love to see people across the North East, and beyond, get behind the challenge and help us build the Centre's next chapter."

North East Mayor Kim McGuinness said: "Growing up in the North East, I spent years watching Alan Shearer score goals and inspire football fans across the region, so it's fantastic to now be working alongside him to encourage people to get moving for such an important cause.

"Football rivalries run deep in our region, and that's part of what makes the North East so special. But whether you wear black and white, red and white, or support another team entirely, this is something we can all come together and get behind.

"The Alan Shearer Centre provides life-changing support for children, adults and families from communities right across the North East, and seeing that work first-hand was incredibly inspiring. Move a Mile is a simple challenge that everyone can take part in, and every mile completed and every donation made will help more people access the support they need."

As well as encouraging individuals to take part, the Foundation is inviting schools, businesses, sports clubs and community organisations to organise their own Move a Mile events throughout the campaign. A dedicated one-mile route has also been created around the Alan Shearer Centre for anyone wishing to complete their challenge there.

Move a Mile forms part of the Alan Shearer Foundation's Million Pound Mission, launched earlier this year to raise £1 million towards a second hydrotherapy pool and help ensure the Centre can continue meeting growing demand for years to come.

To take part, nominate a friend, or make a donation, visit: www.alanshearerfoundation.org.uk/the-million-pound-mission/move-a-mile/

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