Iain Wright MP has completed the 2011 Great North Run in aid of the Stroke Association.
The Hartlepool MP joined his son Ben, 17, and thousands of others on the 13.1 mile run. The pair ran in aid of the Stroke Association, a cause which has been close to their hearts since Ben suffered a serious stroke in 2006. Iain completed the course in quite a “respectable” time of just two hours and fifty minutes, with Ben achieving a time of two hours thirty-five minutes.

Iain Wright MP said:

“This is the fastest I’ve ever finished and I’m quite pleased with my time. However the fundraising is what is most important and Ben and I would like to thank everybody who supported us. The race was tough but running in aid of the Stroke association was a real motivator for me- and I’m thrilled that we have raised over £1000 already. The Association does fantastic work in highlighting issues associated with stroke and with helping people who have suffered from a stroke and and Ben and I were very glad to support them.

You can still support Iain by visiting his online donation page at:

http://www.justgiving.com/Iain-Wright0

Iain visited a new club for young disabled people in Hartlepool, where they learn new skills and develop confidence.

The charity Whizz-Kidz runs ‘Ambassador Clubs’ eight times a year – inviting beneficiaries and those new to the charity - to build on young people’s independence through activities like drama and music workshops, sport, healthy living and video-camera training. Whizz-Kidz also supports the youngsters to campaign locally on issues important to them.

Iain said:

“This new club in Hartlepool is a great initiative from Whizz-Kidz, and I was delighted to join in and meet the ambassadors. The club should broaden the skills and confidence of young disabled people - both in entering adulthood and engaging with their local community, and I look forward to seeing them grow.”

Spaces are limited to 15 people per club, and can accommodate those aged between 10 and 25. It runs from 10am to 3:30pm and will be in school holidays or at weekends, held at the Headland Sports Centre, Union Street, Headland, Hartlepool.

The charity has piloted Ambassador clubs since 2005, but funding from the Big Lottery Fund (BIG) now means that more young people can benefit from Whizz-Kidz’ sessions as they are rolled out across 14 different regions. It is hoped that eventually through training, the clubs will be run by the young people themselves.

To lean more about joining the clubs, or any other information please contact Whizz-Kidz on: 0207 798 6125 or email ambassadors@whizz-kidz.org.uk

It’s that time of year again and Iain had the pleasure this week of presenting the winning prize for his Christmas card competition 2010.

Emma Jayne Kerry from Eldon Grove Primary was delighted to be the winning design for Iain’s Christmas card this year.

Her design showed H'Angus wearing a Hartlepool United shirt, skating in the snow. It also shows St Hilda's Church in the background.

Around 2,500 of the cards will be sent around the world to politicians and ambassadors and most importantly folk in Hartlepool.

Iain said

"I do like to think of this as the town's card. It is going to ambassadors around the world, to the Prime Minister and to people across the town and the country.

"It has to portray the best of Hartlepool, such as our friendliness, community spirit and our history and Emma-Jayne captured that so well.

“The standard was very high this year and we had hundreds of entries and I thank Gavin Foster from the Hartlepool Mail for helping choose the fantastic winning entry”.