Andy Burnham makes history at Great North Run

UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham has become the first serving British prime minister to complete the Great North Run, using the high-profile event to raise funds and awareness for homelessness charity Changing Lives.

Burnham took part in the 45th edition of the iconic half-marathon on Sunday, September 13, running the 13.1-mile route from Newcastle to South Shields alongside thousands of participants. He completed the course in just under two hours.

Wearing a branded running jersey, Burnham used the event to highlight the challenges faced by people experiencing homelessness and the need for long-term support to help them rebuild their lives.

His participation followed a recent visit to a Changing Lives supported accommodation facility in Newcastle, where he met residents and spoke with frontline workers about the difficulties associated with moving away from rough sleeping and securing stable housing.

Burnham said tackling homelessness remained an important moral responsibility for his government. He stressed the importance of providing vulnerable people with comprehensive support that goes beyond accommodation, including assistance with mental health, recovery and personal wellbeing.

The prime minister also donated 15% of his first month’s salary to the charity as part of his fundraising effort.

Before the race, Burnham met Great North Run founder Sir Brendan Foster and joined broadcaster Chris Kamara, Ben Shephard and former footballer Peter Reid for breakfast before making his way to the starting line.

The event also featured a flypast by the Red Arrows, adding to the spectacle surrounding one of the UK’s largest and most prominent mass-participation races.

Burnham’s appearance placed a political spotlight on the charity’s work while highlighting the wider North East tradition of community fundraising and efforts to support people facing homelessness.