- Feel Good
- 13th May 2026
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17 Great North Run charity places you can still sign up for
Missed the Great North Run ballot? Don’t panic, there are still some charity places available to sign up for.
With the four-month countdown well underway, there’s still plenty of time to train for the North East’s biggest race day. This is your final chance to secure your spot on that iconic Newcastle-to-South Shields start line and raise money for an incredible cause while you’re at it.
Whether you’ve always fancied the challenge, need a reason to finally commit to half-marathon training, or just want that unbeatable finish-line feeling with a bigger purpose behind it, here are some charities that still appear to have places available at the time of writing.
Save the Children
Registration fee: £35
Fundraising pledge: £400
Join Team Save the Children and run one of the world’s most iconic half marathons for children who need it most. You’ll get one-to-one support from a personal fundraising coach, a running vest, access to training resources, and a VIP post-race celebration with massage and refreshments. Already have a ballot place? You can still run for charity without a minimum fundraising pledge.
Heel & Toe Children’s Charity
Registration fee: £45
Fundraising target: £299
Heel & Toe provides specialist therapies for children with physical disabilities and complex needs across the North East, and every penny you raise goes directly towards that work. Your place includes a charity vest, cheering points with snacks on the route, and a finish line tent with refreshments and a free massage. Places are limited, so get in quick.
Day One Trauma Support
Registration fee: £45
Fundraising target: £395
If you’d love to support a smaller charity making a huge local impact, Day One Trauma Support is a brilliant choice. Supporting people and families affected by life-changing injuries and trauma, often from the hospital bedside at the RVI and James Cook, the charity helps people navigate emotional recovery, practical challenges, finances and rehabilitation when life changes in an instant.
When you sign up, you’ll get fundraising support from the team, resources to help you smash your target and a branded running vest or t-shirt.
Deafblind UK
Registration fee: £20
Fundraising target: £350
Deafblind UK supports people living with both sight and hearing loss, offering practical help, emotional support, technology advice and connection when it matters most. A great option if you’re after a lower sign-up fee but still want fantastic charity support.
You’ll receive an official running vest or t-shirt, fundraising pack, training support and access to a welcoming runner community.
Target Ovarian Cancer
Registration fee: £35
Fundraising target: £400
Target Ovarian Cancer is the UK’s only ovarian cancer charity working across all four nations, funding vital research, campaigning for earlier diagnosis and supporting those affected by ovarian cancer every step of the way.
Expect fundraising guidance, charity support and plenty of motivation as race day approaches.
The Children’s Foundation
Registration fee: Check at sign-up
Fundraising target: Check at sign-up
If keeping your fundraising close to home matters, The Children’s Foundation is a lovely North East option. The charity improves the health and well-being of children and young people across the region through mentoring, mental health support, family initiatives and community projects.
A brilliant local cause with a genuinely meaningful impact.
Support Dogs
Registration fee: £25
Fundraising target: £325
Dog lovers, this one’s for you. Support Dogs trains specialist assistance dogs for people with epilepsy, autism and physical disabilities, transforming lives through expertly trained canine companions.
You’ll receive a personalised running vest and fundraising support throughout.
Action for Children
Registration fee: £40
Fundraising target: £400
One of the UK’s best-known children’s charities, Action for Children, supports vulnerable children, young people and families through intervention, prevention and advocacy.
Runners receive a free vest, expert training tips, fundraising support, post-race marquee access and a famously enthusiastic cheer squad.
Daisy Chain
Registration fee: £65
Fundraising target: £380
North East-based Daisy Chain supports autistic and neurodivergent children, young people, adults and families through person-centred support, wellbeing services and inclusion initiatives.
If you’d like your miles to directly support a regional charity changing lives, this is a brilliant pick.
Independent Age
Registration fee: £25
Fundraising target: £350
Independent Age supports older people facing financial hardship, loneliness and inequality, helping ensure no one struggles alone in later life.
You’ll receive a technical running vest, fundraising and training support, a certificate and plenty of encouragement from the events team.
Guts UK
Registration fee: £35
Fundraising target: £400
For anyone personally affected by digestive health issues, Guts UK funds life-changing research, supports those living with digestive conditions and works to raise awareness around gut health.
Runners receive a free t-shirt or vest plus support from the charity’s fundraising team throughout training.
Meningitis Research Foundation
Registration fee: £15
Fundraising target: £250
This global charity works to defeat meningitis through research, awareness and family support – making it one of the lower fundraising targets on the list too.
You’ll get a personalised running vest, fundraising support, social runner groups, race-day cheering and post-run refreshments.
Refugee Action
Registration fee: £29
Fundraising target: £350
Refugee Action supports refugees and asylum seekers rebuilding their lives in the UK, from finding housing and work to campaigning for a fairer future.
You’ll receive a branded t-shirt, fundraising resources and support from the charity team throughout your challenge.
Rainbow Trust Children’s Charity
Registration fee: £30
Fundraising target: £350
Rainbow Trust supports families with a child facing a life-threatening or terminal illness, offering emotional and practical support during unimaginably difficult times.
You’ll get a free running vest, fundraising pack, training encouragement and the knowledge your miles are making a real difference.
Versus Arthritis
Registration fee: £40
Fundraising target: £400
Supporting millions living with arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions, Versus Arthritis funds research and provides essential support for people living with chronic pain.
Expect a personalised running top, welcome pack, fundraising support, charity marquee access and race-day cheer points.
Grace House
Registration fee: £60
Fundraising target: £300
Sunderland-based Grace House supports disabled children, young people and their families through inclusive activities, respite support and essential local services.
Another brilliant North East option if you’d like to keep your fundraising regional.
Children with Cancer UK
Registration fee: Check at sign-up
Fundraising target: £375
Funding life-saving research and supporting families affected by childhood cancer, this is a hugely impactful cause to run for.
Expect charity support, fundraising guidance and a passionate community behind you.
The Great North Run isn’t just a half-marathon; it’s one of the biggest North East events.
The Tyne Bridge moment. The wall of crowds. The emotional wobble somewhere around mile 11. The unbeatable South Shields finish.
And honestly? Running 13.1 miles feels a lot easier when it’s for something bigger than yourself.
If you know of any other charities with Great North Run places left, please let us know in the comments below.
Rachael Ellis
Head of Content
After gaining a first in her BA Media and Journalism degree at Northumbria University, Rachael worked at Newcastle’s leading regional newspaper with her stories being picked up in national and global newspapers. She spent two very successful years giving a voice to those communities across the North East who otherwise…
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