A FORMER homeless man who benefited from a charity's support will tackle the Great North Run in aid of the cause.

Anthony Garbett turned to youth homelessness charity Centrepoint, in Sunderland, last year after being forced to leave accommodation where he was living with his fiancee and her family. He now has a home of his own.

He said: "I felt very alone. Life was a struggle before. Centrepoint helped turn my life around."

Mr Garbett will be joined for Sunday's Tyneside half-marathon by Centrepoint's development manager in Durham, Jim Sexton.

Mr Sexton, a former Northumbria Police officer from Sunderland, is tackling the Great North Run for the first time, aged 61.

Mr Garbett hopes to raise £5,000 for the charity.

To sponsor the pair, visit justgiving.com/Jim-Sexton