Councillor to do Great North Run for motor neurone charity

Mike Hawkins, of Whitehaven, is doing the run in memory of his brother and his dad, who sadly lost their lives as a result of MND. 

Mike's brother, John Hawkins, ended his life in September 2024 at the age of 66, 18 months after receiving his diagnosis. 

John Hawkins with his family (Image: Supplied)

John flew to Switzerland and ended his life through Dignitas, a non-profit organisation that assists people to end their lives. 

Dignitas is a service for those with terminal illnesses or severe mental or physical illnesses. 

Mike and John's dad, who was also called John, was diagnosed with the illness in 2012 and passed away at the age of 79. 

Mike trains for the Great North Run (Image: Supplied)

Mike wants to show support for those affected and raise awareness of the disease. 

He said: "I'm doing the Great North Run, we have motor neurone disease in the family as I lost my dad and brother to the illness. 

"After my brother John got the disease, he went to Dignitas, which made me decide to do something to raise money for the charity. 

READ MORE: Assisted dying: Family of man who died at Dignitas support law change

"I did the Seven Seven Challenge last year, where you walk or run seven kilometres every day for seven days. 

"My dad died just before he was 80... motor neurone disease runs in the family, genetics. I think we have a 50/50 chance of developing it ourselves on my dad's side of the family. 

John Hawkins, pictured with his daughter, Nicola and wife, Lynn, chose to end his life at Dignitas (Image: Family handout)

"My brother got it, and he had seen what happened to my dad; he didn't want the same thing to happen to him, so he decided to go to Dignitas last September. 

READ MORE: Daughter of man who went to Dignitas welcomes new assisted dying law

"That spurred me on to do something to raise awareness and do something to raise funds for it."

After seeing what English rugby union coach Kevin Sinfield had done to support his friend, former Leeds Rhinos player Rob Burrow, Mike said he was inspired to show support for those affected by the illness himself. 

John Hawkins with his dogs (Image: Supplied)

The Great North Run will take place in Newcastle on Sunday, September 7.