Get involved Fundraise for us Fundraising stories Rachael - Great North Run 2023 This race was for me. It’s was for 10-year-old me who was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism and bullied for having bulging ‘bug eyes’ and a goiter. For 12-year-old me who underwent major surgery in the summer holidays and returned to school in Y8 with a scar across my neck. And for 31-year-old me who, last year, struggled with the long-term effects of a thyroidectomy twenty years later.It was also for the 1 in 20 people who live with thyroid problems, and for anyone who has ever been misdiagnosed, patronised or dismissed. And whilst I don’t mean this disrespectfully to our incredible NHS, it’s frustrating to be repeatedly asked ‘have you tried anti-depressants?’ and hurried out of yet another appointment. These symptoms are not all in our heads. They are real, and they are brutal.That’s why I am so proud to have raised over £1,200 for BTF who support and amplify the voices of those living with thyroid disease. The Great North Run was a rollercoaster of epic proportions (Mother Nature was feeling mischievous - she delivered scorching heat, thunder, lightning, torrential rain, and more!) but it was totally worth the slog for this amount. A huge shout out to my Uncle John who supported me every step of the way and joined Team BTF at the last minute – he deserves a medal for putting up with me! The terrific Geordie crowd deserve a standing ovation too. They appeared out of nowhere with jelly babies, hose pipes, ice pops, and that unmistakable Northern Spirit. Manage Cookie Preferences Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility