The Newcastle Medics rugby team (NMRFC) raised more than £2,000 running from Jesmond to Tynemouth on Saturday 28th October to raise money for the charity Brake, in memory of Liam O’Connor. 

Liam O’Connor, originally from Manchester, played as an outside centre for NMRFC before he died in a tragic road accident on the Great North Road in June this year.

The eight-mile run in his memory started at 1:30pm on Armstrong Bridge, in Jesmond Dene, running to Tynemouth Castle, and took the team 1 hour and 9 minutes to complete.

The rugby team chose to complete this challenge on 28th October as it was the day of the Rugby World Cup Final.

The organiser of the fundraiser, who asked JesmondLocal to remain anonymous because they were speaking on behalf of the whole club, said: “Shortly after Liam passed his friends from home decided to do a football event and raise money for Brake. So we felt that it would be right to do the same and raise some money, but more importantly raise awareness for the charity.”

Brake is a national road safety foundation that cares for those who have been killed or wounded in vehicle accidents and fights for safer roads for everybody.

Data from the Department of Transport found that on average five people die every day on the road in the UK and 82 are seriously injured.

“What happened to Liam was extremely tragic and could have happened to any one of us. It’s a very busy and fast road and the work Brake does to help make the roads safer will benefit us all”, the spokesperson added.

Kunwoo Ha, a 22 year-old student who plays for NMRFC and took part in the fundraiser told JesmondLocal he was surprised with the support the locals gave them, with many “honking and cheering” them along “despite presumably being uninformed as to the reason for the charity run.”

He added: “It was also lovely seeing members of the other intramural rugby teams joining our run, including many first year students who wouldn’t have known Liam.”

“It was a good chance to get the team together as one,” the spokesperson said.

The fundraiser, posted originally on the NMRFC team’s Instagram page and JustGiving, has raised far more than their target of £1,000. Donations for Brake currently stand at £2,275. 

For more information about the fundraiser, and to donate to the fundraiser, visit the JustGiving page or click here for more information about Brake.