Georgia Sybenga is a woman on a mission. Having caught the bug for running during the Great North Run last year, the Newcastle United fan is now taking on events across the country to raise money for the Bubble Foundation.
Next up for the 25-year-old is the Newcastle-Gateshead Half Marathon on Sunday. The race begins at Gateshead International Stadium, sending runners down to the Quayside and back, with competitors facing the climb from the river twice.
For Georgia, it will be the support for the Bubble Foundation that carries her up that hill. The Sybenga family have been working with the local charity for over 10 years.
Georgia fundraising for local charity The Bubble Foundation
Georgia runs a fitness studio in Jesmond, known for owning the first stand-alone Versa Climber studio in the UK. A family business, Georgia’s dad first came across the Foundation when a previous client’s youngster received treatment through the group.
Georgia said: “My dad wanted to support his client and we realised the Bubble Foundation doesn’t actually get as much coverage as they probably deserve. So it is about trying to get the word out. That is now a bit of a mission at the moment.
“The people at the charity are very diligent. I think people don’t realise what some children and families in the North East are going through. With it being a local charity, we felt it really important we support.”
The Bubble Foundation supports children with life-threatening immune conditions on Ward 3 at the Great North Children’s Hospital, and has been doing so for more than 30 years.
The charity explains: “For these children, even a common cold can be deadly. From the moment they are diagnosed, they must be protected from everyday threats. We give our little superheroes the best possible chance to make a full recovery.
“It’s tough. They’re often going through long and complex treatment. We provide comfort and support for families, and fund cutting-edge research that improves survival rates and gives children the chance to thrive.”
Newcastle United star Anthony Gordon spends time with Ivy
The Bubble Foundation is a cause well supported by Newcastle United. In December, Anthony Gordon spent time with one patient, Ivy.
The Magpies winger kicked a football about with the youngster, learning her favourite goal celebration shortly after Ivy had received a life-saving haplo stem cell transplant, with her dad as a donor.
Georgia knows just how much pride in football clubs lifts the North East. The runner is a regular at St James’ Park, having inherited a love for the Magpies from a long line of fans. She jokes that her first memory of being at the stadium is made all the clearer through jealousy of her cousin being a mascot on the day.
Georgia to take on Gateshead Half fuelled by Geordie support
Georgia said: “When you’re from the North East, it’s such a massive community. People are brought up being a Newcastle fan. I love going to the matches when I can get a ticket.
“As an example, when Sam Fender was at St James’ Park, everybody went and had the Newcastle top on. For him to see that, it must have been crazy. That’s an example of the community going beyond football. People really get together and I’m so proud to be Geordie.”
Georgia only began running last year, targeting the Great North Run with memories of her late nana clapping participants along the Coast Road until the last had crossed the line. Now a running aficionado, she has her eyes on this year’s Great North Run and even the Yorkshire Marathon after this weekend’s Newcastle-Gateshead Half.
You can support Georgia’s fundraising for the Bubble Foundation here.
In other news, Newcastle United CEO teases ‘superstar’ announcement in coming days.
