Great North Run 2011

If you would like to take part in the Great North Run on 18 September 2011 for the Tom McGonigal Trust Fund, you can gain free entry.

Raise £500 or more for the trust fund and you can get free entry to the Great North Run 2011 through the Tom McGonigal Trust Fund.

For further details use our contact form or phone Sue McGonigal on 07977 892971.

See our Past Events to see stories and photos of people who have previously done this run for the trust fund.

For more details on the run go to the BUPA Great Run website.

A friend to the fund

Tom’s sudden death was a shock to all that knew him and a loss to the party scene in Derby. Tom had so much fun delivering quality music and a party vibe wherever he played. Tom’s enthusiasm was infectious, when he had a two hour slot to play he would always ask who was playing ahead and after him, so he could propose sharing his time to have back to back sessions with the other DJs. It was clear to anyone who saw him play, or had the privilege of playing alongside him, that he delighted in what he was doing and took his role seriously, always keen to learn and to share his skills and musical knowledge.

Lucy Milford and Mel Squire

When I heard that Tom’s parents were setting up a trust fund in his memory, my immediate thought was to organise an event to raise money for the fund. Every DJ I approached to play at the event asked their expected fee be donated to the fund, with many comments along the lines of ‘Tom would have been the first to volunteer to give his time to others’.

Faye Dodsley selling raffle tickets

In Saddlers, on Sadlergate Derby, we found willing supporters and the venue for our event; Tom had been a regular DJ at the bar, been a very popular DJ with customers and a valued member of the team by staff. The event was held on a Sunday evening and was a success, attended by Tom’s family and many of his friends from the Belper area, dancing into the early hours. Not only had the event raised money (£800 I think) and given Sue the opportunity to sell raffle tickets; It was the start of the lasting relationship between Sue & Paul, myself and Saddlers management (especially Chris Perfect) that has seen the event become an annual free BBQ event and regular fundraiser for the fund, and sees me volunteering my services to the fund in helping out at their annual weekend extravaganzas in Belper.

Not only have I been involved in assisting the fund raise money, I’ve been involved in helping them spend it too. I work for the largest national children’s charity, working across the county with children and families facing difficulties, this has enabled myself and colleagues to refer families facing hardship, economic difficulty, or other difficult times to the fund. The families that I have referred to the fund have received financial help towards having their first holiday, or a short break away together after family traumas, and towards swimming sessions that children would not have had without that help. I know that these families have all been grateful for the support of the trust and have benefitted from the trusts help. I also know, having had the benefit and privilege of working with and knowing Tom, that he would be so proud that his name is helping so many individuals, families and children’s organisations in this way. 

Norman Cooper

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