St. Benedict’s Hospice
& Centre for Specialist
St Benedict's Hospice & Centre for Specialist
Palliative Care
Palliative Care
It’s an incredible journey of courage shown by those battling cancer and the people who care for them. It’s the passionate determination to make the lives of people with a terminal illness more comfortable and dignified.
Why would anyone choose to run that far?
Tragically, Mark lost both of his parents to cancer when he was just a young man. He has since spent 30 years raising funds for good causes in the North East of England. This includes St. Benedict's Hospice who cared for Mark’s Mam during her final days. To date, thanks to the generosity of so many kind people, £350,000 has been raised. By running across the USA in 2025, Mark is hoping to add at least a further £60,000 to the overall fundraising total for St. Benedict's Hospice (Charity Number 1019410).
The run across the USA will be, without doubt, the most difficult challenge I have ever undertaken. It promises to be a fascinating journey where I will be aiming to take people along with me virtually with daily blog, vlog and social
Mark writes: “The primary aim of this challenge is to raise much needed funds for St. Benedict's Hospice. Helping to raise the Hospice profile while inspiring others to challenge themselves or volunteer for a good cause is a huge added benefit.”
To allow the run across the USA to achieve its fundraising objectives, a uniquely clever approach will be required.
With a collective effort from partners, old and new alike, getting Mark to the USA 2025 start line with a healthy amount raised for St. Benedict's Hospice will provide the ultimate platform for success.
In order to allow USA 2025 to happen, there will be two types of support needed. The run will only be able to start if attempts to secure both are successful.
Firstly, 25 individuals, companies or workplaces will “promise to donate” £1000 to St. Benedict's Hospice. This will be known collectively as the PROMISE FUND.
Secondly, an adequate level of TOUR SUPPORT will be required (both financial and of a service/ product nature) from commercial partners to cover the requirements of the run. This will be include items such as flights, mobile accommodation, fuel, insurance and running shoes. It should be noted that volunteers on the USA 2025 support team will be paying their own expenses themselves.
As the Promise Fund and Tour Support continue to grow it is hoped that each one will help attract contributions to the other.
When will the Promise Fund and Tour Support be payable?
The Promise Fund will only become payable to St. Benedict's Hospice when all items of Tour Support have been found. This will involve those 25 contributors paying the Hospice direct.
Tour Support amounts and items will only be expected from commercial partners upon successful transfer of the Promise Fund to St. Benedict's Hospice.
How can workplaces contribute to the Promise Fund?
One fundraising method that has been used to very good effect on Mark’s previous runs, has seen colleagues in various workplaces hold events such as a Tombola or a bake sale. This would be encouraged and should the USA 2025 event not get underway the workplace may decide to donate the proceeds to a charity of their own choosing.
What will contributors to the the Promise Fund and Tour Support get in return?
There will be an attractive package of benefits offered to everyone who supports the USA 2025 effort. These range from ongoing recognition through the online Run Geordie Run and St. Benedict's Hospice channels through to kit sponsorship and post event inspirational talks.
All benefits are detailed in full in the next section.
Mark writes: “My previous long distance running events have always attracted a lot of great publicity and in turn funds for good causes as well as exposure for the commercial sponsors that I’ve represented. I’m aiming to take all of that to the next level for the 2025 run across the USA.”
Your kind promises are an important part of making the run across the USA a reality in 2025. You will be directly helping St. Benedict's Hospice to continue to care for people with a terminal illness.
Additionally, the success of the Promise Fund will help to attract further support. It’s really just as important as a pair of running shoes in ensuring running 3100 miles across the USA is a success.
What benefits are available to those who contribute to the Promise Fund?
Great news! Your promise to donate £1000 to St. Benedict's Hospice comes with some exclusive benefits. Firstly, expect periodic mentions on the Run Geordie Run online channels. This will not only be from the time that your promise is made but also during the almost two year build up to start of the run across the USA. During the event itself, an entire day’s coverage will feature recognition of your kind support from the USA.
Your name or company logo will be added to the thousands of publicity leaflets that will be used to help spread the word about the run. As you can tell from the images to the right, these have played such an important part during previous events. The USA 2025 leaflet will feature a tri-fold design containing a large fold out map of the route across the USA.
Of course, some supporters of the Promise Fund may wish to remain anonymous throughout. That’s absolutely fine with us.
Can you tell me more about the Run Geordie Run online channels?
Run Geordie Run has a presence on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube. The real jewel in the crown, is arguably the award winning blog at www.rungeordierun.com.
All channels have been used to very good effect so far, helping to take people virtually on the journey as well as helping to put sponsors in the spotlight.
The run across the USA gives sponsors a fantastic opportunity to be associated with the kind of unique event that has gained extensive coverage in the past, both home and abroad.
Whether you're a small startup or a large corporation, there are sponsorship packages available to suit your budget.
What levels of sponsorship are available for Tour Support?
There are 3 types of sponsorship package available for the USA 2025 campaign covering the build up, execution and aftermath of the 3100 mile run. These are Headline, Platinum and Gold.
To ensure that each type of package has fair and proportional coverage there are only 1 headline, 2 platinum and 4 gold available.
As with previous events, Mark will work closely with each sponsor during the course of the sponsorship period to ensure that maximum value for money is given and all PR opportunities are taken.
Mark has a track record in delivering innovative and engaging content. He’ll be keen to work with sponsors to build on this and create a social media plan that fits their precise needs.
The USA 2025 campaign provides an excellent opportunity for commercial sponsors to align their brand with Run Geordie Run.
Where else will sponsors be able to integrate their brand?
In addition to the social media channels mentioned in the previous section, the USA 2025 campaign will see a far greater use of the Run Geordie Run YouTube channel than ever before.
This will provide the audience with many accessible ways to follow the run across the USA. The daily update on Youtube is expected to bring the run to life and aims to become “essential viewing” for the 100 days and 3100 miles that the run spans.
Running virtually alongside Run Geordie Run as part of the USA 2025 campaign presents an exceptional chance for corporate sponsors to align their brand with his impressive feat.
A brand that can join a customer's journey in an authentic and meaningful way can create long-term loyalty and foster a positive brand image.
HEADLINE SPONSOR - 1 AVAILABLE, COST £8000
EVENT NAMING RIGHTS? Yes. For example “RUN GEORDIE RUN ACROSS THE USA WITH YOURCO” or “ACROSS THE USA POWERED BY YOURCO” . The event name will be used in press releases, spoken and written interviews and wherever USA 2025 and all derivatives thereof would appear.
KIT SPONSORSHIP Large logo on the front and rear of running shirt in the prime position. A framed shirt will be presented to the headline sponsor after the run.
ONLINE LOGO PLACEMENT Large logo on rungeordierun.com and all social media banners. Large logo to appear on graphics such as DAILY PROGRESS and WEATHER used during the run and output on social media channels. Large logo to appear on daily Run Geordie Run YouTube updates.
SOCIAL MEDIA A natural organic campaign with several mentions each week during the build up to the run across all channels. Daily mentions during the run with 30 of the 100 days sponsored and acknowledged on rungeordierun.com, YouTube and social media channels.
INSPIRATIONAL TALK One pre and one post USA 2025 in person talk to be delivered to the sponsor’s chosen audience at a UK location of their choosing. An excellent opportunity to gain a unique insight into the run across the USA.
PLATINUM SPONSOR - 2 AVAILABLE, COST £4000
KIT SPONSORSHIP Logo on the front of kit in a prominent position. Large logo on the rear of running kit (and on long sleeves where applicable). A framed shirt will be presented to the platinum sponsor after the run.
ONLINE LOGO PLACEMENT Logo on rungeordierun.com and all social media banners. Logo to appear on graphics such as DAILY PROGRESS and WEATHER used during the run and output on social media channels. Logo to appear on daily Run Geordie Run YouTube updates.
SOCIAL MEDIA A natural organic campaign with several mentions each week during the build up to the run across all channels. Daily mentions during the run with 10 of the 100 days sponsored and acknowledged on rungeordierun.com, YouTube and social media channels.
INSPIRATIONAL TALK One post USA 2025 in person talk to be delivered to the sponsor’s chosen audience at a UK location of their choosing. An excellent opportunity to gain a unique insight into the run across the USA.
GOLD SPONSOR - 4 AVAILABLE,
KIT SPONSORSHIP Logo on the sleeve of running shirt in a prominent position.
ONLINE LOGO PLACEMENT Logo on rungeordierun.com and all social media banners. Logo to appear on graphics such as DAILY PROGRESS and WEATHER used during the run and output on social media channels. Logo to appear on daily Run Geordie Run YouTube updates.
SOCIAL MEDIA A natural organic campaign with several mentions each month during the build up to the run across all channels. Daily mentions during the run with 5 of the 100 days sponsored and acknowledged on rungeordierun.com, YouTube and social media channels.
Thanks to previous sponsors for the use of their logos for illustrative purposes.Could a sponsor supply goods/services in lieu of funds to Tour Support?
If a sponsor is able to provide goods and/or services that are required during the run across the USA then this would be very acceptable.
This would include travel insurance, mobile accommodation, fuel, flights, communications/ data and running kit.
What if sponsorship exceeds the event cost? Any unused funds will be passed from the sponsor direct to St. Benedict's Hospice. All expenses are logged and reported to the fundraising team at the hospice.
What if a sponsor wishes to include a benefit not mentioned or change one?
Mark will work closely with sponsors to ensure that their needs are met and any social media plans are co-ordinated and aligned.
Headline
Platinum
Gold Platinum
WE KNOW WHERE WE’RE GOING AND WE SURE KNOW WHERE WE’VE BEEN. Embarking on a journey requires more than just a destination in mind; it necessitates understanding where you've come from.
Looking back at the images from previous running events fuels a desire to run many more difficult miles in the pursuit of charity funds.
The media's insatiable appetite for extraordinary achievements has always helped to bring Run Geordie Run to the attention of a worldwide audience.
The next transcontinental effort provides an exciting opportunity to raise the profile even further through online channels as well as mainstream TV and radio home and abroad.
Mark writes: “There is no doubt in my mind that the run across the USA in 2025 will be the most difficult event I’ve ever done. The mental, physical and logistical challenges are very much ‘next level’. Given the miles that have gone before, that’s really saying something.
Running 3100 miles across the USA will be a relentlessly demanding endeavour. Endless stretches of open road, varying terrains, unpredictable weather conditions, and the sheer magnitude of the distance will all conspire to test the limits of physical and mental endurance.
While this may seem like a solo journey, it will require the kind support of so many to succeed.
Please contact Mark Allison using sponsorship@rungeordierun.com for sponsorship enquiries and offers of support.