CHARITY champion David Snell raised more than £1,000 for a local good cause by completing the Great North Run.

The retired headteacher raised £1,155 for the Salvation Army Corps in Shildon - over £88 a mile - by crossing the finishing line in two hours 25 minutes.

Mr Snell was thrilled with his sponsorship total because he wanted to say a big thank you to the Salvation Army, of which he and wife Joyce are members.

The charity has supported him and his family through his fight with cancer, which started with bowel cancer last year and recently secondary liver cancer.

Mr Snell wants to thank supporters, many of whom know him as a Shildon Residents' Association member and former headteacher at the former Henknowle Primary School, in Bishop Auckland.

He said: "I felt well and I really enjoyed the run. I am very grateful to the hundreds of sponsors and the many well-wishers.

"They really helped to make the event exciting and memorable."

Sponsorship, which was presented during Sunday's evening service, will go towards multi-visual display equipment which will enhance the broad range of Salvation Army and community activities in the organisation's worship and community centre in Cross Street.