Great North Run 2026

We are delighted to share that all five nsif places in the Great North Run 2026 have now been filled. A huge thank you to the runners taking on this iconic challenge to raise funds for research into spinal cord injury – below is a little bit about each of them and why this cause is so close to their hearts:

Martin Devereux: Martin’s neighbour Steve Pye is his inspiration for taking on 13.1 miles this year. Having watched Steve’s remarkable rehabilitation journey firsthand, Martin is running to help fund nsif’s work towards UK human trials; research that could be life-changing for the thousands still living with spinal cord injury.

Support Martin’s Run: The Nicholls Spinal Injury Foundation: Martin’s page

Harry Smailes: For Harry, this cause is personal – Steve Pye is a close friend and his best mate’s brother. Having seen the impact of nsif’s fundraisers and the charity’s work over the years, Harry calls it “an honour” to represent nsif at the world’s largest half marathon.

Support Harry’s Run: The Nicholls Spinal Injury Foundation: Harry’s page

Mike Lees: Mike’s connection to nsif began in 2007, when his cousin was paralysed from the chest down by a rare spinal virus. Told he might never walk again, his cousin’s determination through rehabilitation and physiotherapy – to the extent of his ability to now walk with the support of sticks – has been a lasting inspiration to Mike and everyone who knows him.

Support Mike’s Run: The Nicholls Spinal Injury Foundation: Mike’s page

Adam Hopkins: Adam is running in honour of his work colleague, Steve Pye, whose journey from paralysis at 15 to walking with sticks after years of intensive rehabilitation has stayed with him. Adam is fundraising to help nsif move closer to UK human trials for a cure.

Support Adam’s Run: The Nicholls Spinal Injury Foundation: Adam’s page

Andy Barber: Similarly to the others, Andy’s inspiration for taking part in the Great North Run is the Pye family – specifically Steve – and the fact that the research being funded could be life-changing for thousands of people affected by SCI.

Support Andy’s Run: Andy Barber is fundraising for The Nicholls Spinal Injury Foundation

Please take a moment to meet the B2B4 Team

Mike Beckett

Mike is one of the “Famous Five” who rode in our first B2B bike challenge from Humber Bridge to London Bridge, in 2013. He has supported some of our other fund raising actvities since that time and we are delighted to welcome him back as a rider for B2B4!

Andrew Cooney

Andrew first joined the “B2B Team” for our B2B2 (Forth Bridge, Edinburgh to Humber Bridge) in 2016, when even a mechanical issue which severely restricted his gearing, was not enough to stop him. He also rode with us in 2019 when B2B3 took us from Clifton Bridge, Bristol to the Humber Bridge. He is an experienced cyclist and one of the strongest riders in our group. After enjoying the experience of B2B3, Andrew was keen to help with our fundraising activities and very pleased to take up the opportunity to ride B2B4.

Ronnie Fletcher

Route planner and Road Captain, Ronnie has been one of our most prolific and longstanding fundraisers. Ronnie has taken part in all of our previous B2B rides and also the epic “Coast to Coast” ride in 2015 about which many tales are still told! Where B2B rides are concerned, we would be lost without Ronnie (…and sometimes with him!!) and the whole team is grateful for his efforts in organising the event.

Mark Hague

As NSIF is the chosen charity of the year 2023 for Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy, Hull Blade factory, we were pleased to extend an invite to an employee of SGRE to join us as a rider for B2B4. As a regular cyclist, Mark was keen to take part and we are delighted to welcome him to the B2B team.

Richard Hardy

Richard is also a veteran of our B2B rides, taking part in B2B2 in 2016 and B2B3 in 2019, both routes as detailed above. He is an all-rounder, being an experienced cyclist and marathon runner, and often leads the way on the B2B rides. Earlier this year, as part of his training, he has ridden some very challenging routes in Flanders, Belgium, which should help him in facing up to the challenges of B2B4.

Bobby Pye

Bobby is the youngest rider in the team (by more than a couple of decades!) and actually was part of our Support Team for the original B2B ride in 2013. After seeing first hand the effort required to complete a B2B challenge, but also the reward from the sense of achievement in raising valuable funds for the charity, he joined us as a rider for the last B2B3 in 2019 and it is great that he will be joining us again to ride B2B4.

John Pye

Alongside Ronnie Fletcher, John has also taken part in each of the three previous B2B rides…and also the infamous “CTC” in 2015. John, with his wife Angela, is a co-founder of NSIF Hull and East Riding so plays a role in the organisation of all charity related actvities.

Steve Pye

Steve is the inspiration for many of us taking part in the B2B challenges…and our other fundraising activities for NSIF. He was our Support Vehicle driver for the original B2B ride in 2013 and has been assistant to “Driver Dave” in each of the last two B2B rides, a role that he will once again fill for B2B4.

Grant Stables

Grant has been a regular rider with us and a great supporter of the charity, completing B2B2 and B2B3 despite him now being located in Edinburgh. With roots in South Yorkshire – hence his road name of “Our Kes”! – we are very grateful that Grant makes the effort to join us for our cycle challenges and no doubt he will be looking forward to our final overnight stop on B2B4 in Cudworth, near Barnsley.

Dave Waters

To give him his full title,”Driver Dave” is a key member of the B2B team. He has been the driver of our support vehicle for the last two rides and we are very fortunate – and grateful – for his continued service for B2B4. He ensures that we are kept fully fed and watered and the van is always where it should be – it is no exaggeration to say that without Dave’s help, B2B4 could not take place!