For Joe Brewer, this year’s Great North Run is about more than personal achievement it's a tribute, a statement, and a mission.
In 2020, Joe lost one of his closest school friends to suicide at just 16 years old. In June 2024, he experienced another devastating loss when his uncle also took his own life. Both events left a deep mark on Joe, who continues to navigate his own challenges with anxiety and depression.
“It's been a difficult few years,” Joe shared. “But I’ve had help, through therapy and NHS mental health support, and I’ve come a long way. Just six months ago I was struggling to leave my room. Now, I’m training to run a half marathon in front of thousands.”
Joe has chosen to run the Great North Run in support of a mental health charity, channelling his grief into action in the hope of preventing other families from going through the same pain. His goal isn’t just about raising money. “I want to raise awareness and show others, especially young men like me, that it’s okay to talk, to ask for help, and to do something positive.”
Joe’s story is a powerful reminder that mental health struggles don’t always show on the outside. “My uncle had everything on paper; wealth, a family, his own business. But he was quietly dealing with prostate cancer and never spoke to anyone about how it affected him,” he said. “It’s so important to check in on people, even if they seem like they’re doing okay.”
Thanks to the support of DHU’s Social Impact Committee, Joe’s fundraising efforts will also be match funded, doubling the impact of the donations he receives.
“I’m not doing this to prove anything to anyone else,” he says. “I just want to show myself, and maybe someone else out there, that we can keep going, that we’re capable of more than we think.”