Sharon is a Senior Broadcast Journalist and Presenter with the BBC.  She is also an Independent Film Maker and has won several prestigious awards for her work.  Sharon hails from New Zealand and is married with 3 girls.

CHIN-UP SPONSORED WALK 11/5/10

Despite the morning being damp with a little rain, it eventually turned out to be a bright day.  Joan Short, assisted by Richard Weir, walked from Haltwhistle main street, up through the Burn Gorge to the Mile Castle Inn that is situated on the Roman road.  This is a round trip of about 4miles.

Joan has visual impairment and sometimes poor mobility, yet she thoroughly enjoyed the walk.  She said at the end how happy she was to have done it and how pleased that she had been able to raise so much money for Chin-Up.

Money raised… £110.  Thank you Joan for your hard work on our behalf.

FAMILY DISCO, HALTWHISTLE  10/6/10      7 - 9.30pm

The disco went fantastically well, was a huge success, and an excellent time was had by all.  Richard was ably supported and helped by Christine Hillary and Elvina Charlton.

Many of both parents and children asked if there would be more discos, preferably in the school holidays and before Christmas.

Money raised…£150.  Thank you everyone for your enthusiastic support.

It was fine but FREEZING on the Seahouses beach on the day and there was also a fairly strong wind blowing off the sea which really didn’t help. Cold, numb fingers aren’t very nimble or quick for putting up tents. We were convinced we would see icebergs floating by, it was that cold!

There were three of us huddled in a tent until the runners and walkers arrived to take part. 27 runners, 7 walkers and a dog turned up and were raring to go. 11 others registered, but unfortunately didn’t make it.

The run started promptly …it was too cold to stand around….and when everyone came back they said how much they’d enjoyed it. Personally I think they’re all lovely people, but all absolutely doolaly!  In fact anyone who runs for fun is as daft as a brush. Perhaps, then, that’s why I’m the shape I am………??????  Nevertheless, the Chin-Up team would like to thank you all for your dedication and invaluable support.  What would we do without you?

Everybody was a winner, but Matthew Bainbridge (32 mins 18 secs) and Sarah Pascall (40 mins 32 secs) were the first man and woman, respectively, past the post.  Well done!

Maureen Hardcastle

Chairperson

The Chin-Up team would like to welcome on board and express our gratitude to our newest patron - Squadron Leader Kevin Pinder BSc(Hons) MIET ACMI RAF.  We look forward to working with him and getting to know him better.

“For your information, I joined the RAF in 1980 as an electronics technician and served 19 years until taking my commission as an Engineering Officer in 1999. I have served at numerous UK bases as well as a tour in the Falkland Islands and 2 years in Cyprus. In 2003, I served in Iraq for 6 months and more recently in 2006/7 I undertook three detachments to Camp Bastion in Afghanistan. I am currently serving at RAF Digby in Lincolnshire.”

The weather was very kind to us with blue skies and sunshine. The wind was blowing, but thank goodness, it didn’t rain. We were very grateful for that as the prospect of standing on the beach at Seahouses in the wind and rain just didn’t seem inviting at all!

55 people asked to be with us, but as 6 didn’t make it, so we started the run with 42 runners and 7 walkers, plus 1 dog.

Here I must apologise. After taking the time for the runners, clueless (who shall remain nameless to protect the not-so-innocent)  pressed the re-set button….and wiped all the times off. So please be kind when you send in your letters of complaint. Take into consideration her age, (she’s old and doddery) her addled brain, (confusion rules) and her inept handling of gadgets (no change there then)!

Nevertheless congratulations to Chris Barrett and Claire English for winning the Mens’ and Womens’ categories respectively and a very, very big thank you to all those who took part in the actual run and all those who gave their time so generously to ensure that we had a most successful day.

 In alphabetical order, participants were:- 

Rory Adamson

Elizabeth Allen

Peter Bayes

Fred Berry

Dave Bartrum

Chris Barrett  (37min 10sec)

Gale Cory

Barry Clare

Janet Cummings

Alice Cummings

Paul Cummings

Claire English

Jeremy Gray

Jayne Hately

Martin Hood

Richard Halloran

Hazel Kennedy

Paul King

Sonia King

Jude Leitch

Paul van Leishout

Jo Londesborough

Jill van Leishout

Sandra McConnell

Lee McConnell

Esme McConnell

James McKinney

Allen Mulliss

Jason Old

Kerrie Old

Helen Patterson

Bridget Peberdy

Steven Prentice

Paul Robson

Melanie Rogers

Chris Senior

Joanne Sheilds

Ann Skeldon

David Skelton

Alison Smith

Louise Smith

Liz Smith

Julie Stone

Stewart Stone

Lynn Taws

Val Thompson

Helen Thompson

Kevin Vardy

Steven Veitch

Claire Westwood

Diana Weightman

March 3rd, 2009 saw Chin-Up being part of its first day at the races.  The event was a three-mile Novices’ Handicap Chase supported by Furlongs Racing at Newcastle racecourse.  The day was cold but fair with an unfortunately low attendance.  Nevertheless, we all had a great day!

The winner was “Fiftyfive Degrees”, an eight year old gelding ably ridden by Graham Lee, owned by Mr & Mrs Raymond Anderson Green and trained by Pauline Robson.  Terry Scragg of Furlongs Racing most generously donated the prize money.

Another day of seaside fun in store at this year’s Beach Run.  Exercise, good company, beautiful surroundings and the mad Chin-Up team - what more could you ask?  Mark the day in your diaries - 24th May 2009 at 10.00 am. 

To download an entry form click here (you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your PC) and for runners’ information here is the place.

If you don’t have Adobe Acrobat Reader you can download it from this link - Adobe Acrobat Reader

You can also telephone 01434 322898 or email info@chin-up-charity.org.uk

The day was overcast but windless and warm for December — thank heavens! 

12 intrepid runners, most of whom were wearing Santa suits, ran to Bamburgh and back again.  Two walkers also joined in the fun and walked to the half way point and back.  

We even had two stewards who arrived by car (a journey of 100 miles) in Santa suits – complete with beards!  Obviously as daft as brushes, but please form your own opinion!!!!!!! 

At the holiday house there were the usual refreshments with the addition of hot soup and rolls, ably served by the McConnell family.  

Thank you to everyone.  It was a great day.