Adam Kelly
My Story
Hello there
My name is Adam Kelly and I am running my first half-marathon in support of the Alice Ruggles Trust.
It has always been a goal of mine to run the Great North Run, yet I never believed it was possible. I fondly look back to when I was younger, going to watch the Great North Run to see my Dad, Uncle Mark and Uncle Darren run by in a crowd of people all running for amazing causes.
To me, watching the Great North Run was not only about seeing my family run past for a few seconds as they said hello, it was a time to see family and be part of an amazing community. We would stand on the Leam Lane central reservation cheering, waving flags and shouting encouragement to all the runners. As well as me and my brother Jonathan, trying to find costumes we recognised.
I never thought I'd be capable of running 5k once upon a time but as I have started exercising for my mental health, I have slowly and steadily improved. I feel that no matter what in September, I am crossing that finishing line.
It is with huge thanks to the Alice Ruggles Trust that I am able to run this year. The Alice Ruggles Trust has very generously given me a place in the 2026 AJ Bell Great North Run and I am extremely grateful.
I first learned about the Alice Ruggles Trust after attending a training session where Clive Ruggles spoke about his daughter, Alice. I found it deeply moving and came away having learned a great deal. The more I have learned about the charity, its mission and the work it does, the more interested I have become about supporting it.
The Trust works to educate young people, particularly across the North East, on how to recognise stalking behaviours, understand the warning signs and know how to respond safely. In a world where technology plays such a huge part in everyday life, that education has never been more important. Awareness can change lives, and in some cases, save them.
One quote shared by one of their experts by experience has really stayed with me:
‘Education would not have changed the fact I was stalked. That is something that unfortunately no-one could control. But education would have changed how lviewed what was happening to me. I would have recognised the behaviours faster, felt more confident to report him and known that more could have been done to protect me and make me feel safe.’
That is why I am proud to run for the Alice Ruggles Trust. Every donation helps the charity continue its vital work raising awareness, educating young people and helping prevent others from experiencing stalking and abuse.
Thank you so much for your support.
