Tens of thousands of people braved the rain to take on the Great North Run this past Sunday, with typical North East drizzle adding to the challenge. Now in its 43rd year, the iconic half marathon saw a record number of runners tackle the 13.1- mile course from Newcastle to South Shields, despite the tough conditions.

Out of the thousands of participants, eight incredible individuals proudly represented FareShare North East. Who showed incredible dedication and resilience in the face of the elements. Despite the rain and wind, our eight amazing runners completed the course with determination, embodying the spirit of both the race and our cause.

Before the race, we caught up with one of our dedicated runners, Louisa, who shared her thoughts just hours before the big day:

“I’m not a natural runner at all, so I’m definitely a bit nervous for the Great North Run, but I’m also really excited to be challenging myself for such a great cause and to complete my first half marathon!”

We were rooting for Louisa and all our runners throughout the day. The event itself was nothing short of electric – from  cheering crowds lining the streets to the overwhelming sense of camaraderie that radiated throughout the city, the Great North Run brought the best of the North East’s community spirit to life. Whether it was crossing the iconic Tyne Bridge or powering through the final stretch along the coastline, the support from spectators was incredible, lifting every runner along the way.

Thanks to the amazing efforts of our runners, we’ve raised a remarkable £5,169. This will allow us to rescue 200,600 tonnes of surplus food, turning it into thousands of nutritious meals for vulnerable families and individuals across the region.

We couldn’t be prouder of our team and their contributions to tackling food poverty. Every mile they ran and every pound they raised will help us continue our mission to redistribute surplus food, providing meals to those who need it most in the North East. A huge thank you to our runners, donors and everyone who supported our team along the way.

Beat the Ballot and Secure Your Place on the 2025 Great North Run with FareShare North East!

Sunday 7th September 2025

As a member of Team FareShare North East, you’ll be joining a small but mighty group of dedicated individuals making a huge impact in our region. By choosing to run for us, you’re not just tackling 13.1 miles—you’re helping us deliver surplus food to vulnerable people across the North East, ensuring that families and individuals receive the support they need in challenging times. Your effort will help us save surplus food, turn it into smiles, and make a real difference in our communities.

We’d love for you to join our team in 2025 and be part of something truly special!

This October, join us for an extraordinary evening at the Autumn Surplus Supper Club x Blackfriars. Set within the enchanting and historic Blackfriars Banquet Hall, this exclusive dinner event offers an opportunity to savour the finest seasonal, surplus ingredients in a one-of-a-kind setting.

Buy Your Ticket Here

Event Details:

• Date: 17th October 2024
• Time: 7pm – 10pm
• Venue: Blackfriars Banquet Hall
• Ticket: £45

Indulge in a carefully curated four-course menu, masterfully crafted by Blackfriars’ talented chefs. Each dish is created using surplus, seasonal ingredients, showcasing the incredible potential of food that might otherwise go to waste. Expect a surprise menu that celebrates autumn’s rich flavours.

An evening where delicious food, inspiring conversations and a shared commitment to making a difference all come together in one unforgettable event. Every ticket sold supports FareShare North East’s mission to redistribute surplus food to those in need.

Secure your spot for a night to remember and a cause that matters.

Buy Your Ticket Here

Seats are limited, and this unique event promises to fill up quickly. For any enquiries or additional information, please contact us at [email protected]

Partnering for positive change

Quorn’s ongoing support for FareShare North East plays a crucial role in tackling social isolation, food poverty and food waste. As part of this commitment, Quorn recently collaborated with FareShare North East to host a transformative cooking masterclass at Wicker Chair Café. This initiative aimed to enhance food skills and nutrition training for community groups benefiting from Quorn’s surplus donations of plant-based produce.

The masterclass was designed to empower participants with practical tips and delicious recipes for incorporating meat-free alternatives into their meals.

The Big Day

The masterclass, led by acclaimed Quorn chef Kate Snow, was a vibrant and hands-on event showcasing the versatility of Quorn products. Participants had the chance to learn how to prepare an array of delicious dishes, including a hearty and flavourful Bolognese made with Quorn mince and spicy wraps made with shredded Quorn Misfits, fresh salad, jalapenos and a refreshing mint and yogurt topping, to name a few.

Jo, a dedicated volunteer at REfUSE Café in Chester-le-Street, was among the participants who found the masterclass especially valuable. Located at 143c Front Street, Chester-le-Street the social enterprises mission is to “REscue, REclaim and REuse, so that good food doesn’t become REfUSE.” The café operates on a ‘pay as you feel’ model from Tuesday to Saturday. Jo began volunteering at the café when it opened in 2018 and gradually took on the role of cooking, despite having no formal training. Over the years, she has become a passionate advocate for the café’s ‘Meat Free Tuesday’ initiative, volunteering every week to prepare meat-free meals.

Reflecting on her experience at the Quorn masterclass, Jo remarked, “It was great to hear, about the history of Quorn and how it originated and the nutritional benefits– good to know there is no added salt or sugar. Learning how to layer the flavours to enhance the dishes was very useful and I’ll be trying out some of the new dishes when I get back to the café.”

The masterclass provided community groups with invaluable hands-on experience and practical tips for incorporating meat-free ingredients into their cooking. By learning how to create diverse, nutritious dishes with Quorn, participants gained confidence and skills that will enhance their ability to ensures that surplus food is used effectively.

Why Not Get Involved?

We know just how impressed all the participants were with the cooking masterclass and the versatility of Quorn ingredients—so why not see for yourself?

• Explore Quorn Recipies: Visit the Quorn website to discover a wide range of plant-based recipes. Whether you’re a seasoned cook or a beginner, you’ll find creative ideas that are both nutritious and easy to prepare.
• Visit REfUSE cafe – stop by REfUSE Café at 143c Front Street, Chester-le-Street, on a ‘Meat Free Tuesday’ to enjoy a variety of delicious, innovative dishes. While the menu changes, you can always expect meals that showcase the best of sustainable, meat-free cooking.

We are looking for volunteer community fundraisers to support local events and help raise money for an important cause. If you enjoy chatting with people, visiting new places, and inspiring others to donate to a life-changing cause, this volunteering role is perfect for you.

Why We Need You

Our community fundraising volunteers are an important presence in our local communities. They organise a wide range of events and collections that raise vital awareness and funds for our vital services that support people across the region.

You can help by:

In this flexible role, you can get involved as much or as little as works for you.

• Getting involved and supporting local events run by your team, which could include anything from quiz nights to coffee mornings, to collections or sponsored walks.
• Using your communication skills to chat and tell people about FareShare North East and why we need their support.
• Helping spread the word about your team’s events on social media and to your local networks.
• Using your imagination and creativity to suggest new fundraising ideas that could raise money for FareShare North East. All suggestions are welcome!

Don’t worry if you don’t feel you can tick every box, we’d love to hear from you! We’re always open to suggestions and we’re very happy to chat and find out what’s possible.

What you’ll get

• In this team role, you’ll get the satisfaction of knowing you’re supporting people with in your community by raising funds for our vital services.
• This is a flexible volunteer role where you can give as little or as much time as you want. You can fit your volunteering around any other responsibilities or commitments that you have.
• This volunteering role is a great opportunity to meet new people and build your communication and interpersonal skills.
• You’ll have lots of fun socialising and attending a wide range of different events.
• You’ll have a dedicated volunteer coordinator and a team of volunteers who all support each other.
• Volunteering should never leave you out of pocket. We pay any expenses related to your volunteering with us, including travel costs.

Apply Now!

Whether you can spare a few hours now and then or commit more regularly, your support will be invaluable. Join us in fighting food waste and food insecurity – together, we can make a real difference!

If you find completing online registration difficult, please don’t let this stop you from registering you interest. Email us at [email protected]

At FareShare North East we’re supporting FareShare UK as they launch their manifesto ahead of the General Election, asking “Where’s The Food?”

To delve deeper into FareShare UK’s visionary manifesto, follow the link below. Join FareShare North East in posing the critical question: “Where’s The Food?” Show your support by signing the manifesto and adding your voice to the movement for change. Together, we can ensure that surplus food reaches those who need it most.

FareShare UK's Manifesto

In a blend of culture, charity and adventure, the Tees Heritage Walk 2024 took participants on a scenic journey along the Tees River. Organised by Middlesbrough Rotary Erimus, the event aimed to explore the region’s rich heritage while offering participants the opportunity to fundraise for FareShare North East.

The walk, stretching from Middlesbrough College to Stockton’s Millennium Bridge and back, offered a refreshing perspective, showcasing seven Tees bridges. Despite the unrelenting heat, our team of dedicated participants embraced the challenge with unwavering determination.

Though originally planned as a 12.1-mile trek, a few unexpected wrong turns extended the route to 13.1 miles, adding an adventurous twist to our teams journey. Nevertheless, the camaraderie and spirit of solidarity among our 12 participants to  include Tees Hub staff, volunteers and supporters remained steadfast.

This year’s Tees Heritage Walk marked a significant milestone for FareShare North East, as it was our first participation in this esteemed event. We are overwhelmed by the generosity and support of our community, and we are thrilled to announce that we are expecting to raise £1000 through this initiative.

Want to get Involved?

Check out our upcoming events here or why not consider organising your own fundraising initiative? With a wealth of fundraising materials and knowledge at our disposal, our team would love to hear from you.

Get In Touch