Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ

Kevin Clarke, from Washington, ran the 2008 Great North Run in memory of his two-year-old god-daughter Jessica.

He got in touch with Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Tyne before the race to tell us about how he was running to raise money for Children with Leukaemia.

You can read the full story below, but first Kevin tells us how he got on.

Kevin said the atmosphere is great

Kevin's Great North Run 2008:

"I had a fantastic day from start to finish. Arrived early to get started. Even though it was cold it didn't worry me as I knew that I had to do this in Jessica's memory.

"Sad thing that she was no longer here to enjoy her third birthday yesterday. But I knew that she was here in spirit by looking over me from heaven.

"I didn't mind being at the end [of the runners] when we started, it was great just to be there. Such a fantastic start when they blasted out Local Hero because there were 52,000 local heroes running.

"It was great to run especially the support I got from the crowds start to finish. Even though I had not set a time limit I managed to complete in just over two hours.

"I shed a few tears at the end and dedicated my medal to Jessica.ΜύJessica's parents were at the start and the finish for me.Μύ

"I'm hurting a bit today [Monday] but it was worth it.ΜύA big thanks goes to Ben & Caroline from Children with Leukaemia. I would also like to thank such fantastic family and friends and Derek, Gail and the girls on general merchandise and all the rest of my colleagues at Sainsbury's, Washington, who have also supported me.Μύ

En route to South Shields

"I would love to do next year's Great North Run then you never know possibly London Marathon - I want to keep fundraising in Jessica name.

"The unsung heroes are children who suffer from this cancer and who sadly lose their lives trying to fight it such as Jessica. One last thing I would like to dedicate my Great North run to Jessica's memory I did this for you my special little angel."

Read the original feature about why Kevin decided to enter Great North Run 2008:

October 5 will be a poignant day for Kevin Clarke.

The day of the 2008 Great North Run would have been the third birthday of his god-daughter Jessica who sadly lost her fight against leukaemia in February 2008.

Kevin, 36, from Washington, decided to do this year's Great North Run to raise money for the charity Children with Leukaemia in Jessica's memory.

He said: "Her parents asked me to do a eulogy and I decided to do the Great North Run and raise money for children with leukaemia.

Runners raised money for many causes

"I just thought it was so important to do something in her memory as well as other kids with this terrible disease. They are the real unsung heroes."

Kevin said he had received a lot of support with his fundraising from work colleagues at Sainsbury's in Washington Galleries as well as from his friends and family.

It will be the fourth time he has done the Great North Run. Last year he had to pull out at the last minute after tearing some ligaments.

He said: "I think it will be a great day. the past few times I have done it the atmosphere was brilliant.

"The atmosphere and support you get from other runners and the people that stand along the route."