Steve’s getting ready for the Great North Run
Westerleigh Group’s Commercial Director and Managing Director of Distinct Cremations, Steve Wallis is making final preparations to tackle this year’s Great North Run, in honour of the group’s former Chief Executive Officer.
Steve will be taking on the 13.1 mile run on Sunday September 11 in aid of Huntington’s Disease Association, one of Westerleigh Group’s corporate charities for 2022.
Steve said: “I didn’t know much about Huntington’s Disease until Roger Mclaughlan, the former CEO of Westerleigh Group, and a man I admire greatly, was diagnosed with the condition in 2021.
“Roger stepped down at the start of this year, and when I was offered the chance to raise funds for Huntington’s Disease Association I jumped at the chance.
“Every pound I raise will genuinely help those affected by this cruel disease and, of course, will encourage me to run a little faster!”
Westerleigh Group is the UK’s largest owner and operator of crematoria and cemeteries, with 37 sites in England, Scotland, and Wales, all set within beautifully landscaped gardens of remembrance which provide pleasant, peaceful places for people to visit and reflect. Distinct Cremations is a specialist provider of direct cremations, operating as part of Westerleigh Group.
Steve joined Westerleigh in early 2021, bringing with him some 25 years of experience in the funeral industry. Never one to rest in his spare time, he has previously completed several Iron Man challenges and triathlons but this year’s Great North Run is quite personal.
He said: “Anyone who knows Roger will know exactly what has motivated me to do this.”
Roger Mclaughlan was Westerleigh Group CEO for two years, but stepped down after learning he had inherited the faulty gene that leads to Huntington’s Disease.
His successor, Debbie Smith, said: “Choosing the Huntington’s Disease Association as our corporate charity partner for the whole year seemed to be a fitting way for Westerleigh Group to honour, thank and pay tribute to Roger for his leadership and the impact he had on so many colleagues during his time at Westerleigh.“
Joanne Dobbie, Head of Fundraising for the Huntington's Disease Association said: "This year on Sunday 11 September, 60,000 runners are due to take on the Great North Run, a 13.1-mile course, beginning in South Shields and ending in Newcastle. We are delighted that Steve is taking part in this iconic race to raise funds and awareness of Huntington's disease as a part of #TeamHDA."
The Huntington's Disease Association supports anyone who is affected by Huntington's disease, a degenerative neurological condition affecting around 8000 people across the UK. We work across England and Wales to provide information and support to those who need it.
Anyone who wants to support Steve’s efforts can do so by visiting his JustGiving page: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/stephen-wallis2