A NORTH Durham hospice is celebrating the success of fundraisers taking part in the Great North Run – with over £10,000 expected to be raised.

Fifty six runners signed up to raise cash for the Willow Burn Hospice near  Lanchester , County Durham, which is trying to raise £5.7 million to build a new hospice, as well as operate its current premises.

The first of Willow Burn’s runners to pass the finishing line was husband and wife team, Jamie and Lorna Graham, with times of 1hr 33mins and 1hr 36mins, respectively.

The couple of Crook , County Durham, who have always been keen runners, had experience of relatives being cared for by Willow Burn.

Their eight-year-old daughter, Tess, came second in the Mini Great North Run, the day before.

Apart from Tess, the couple have another five children - twin girls aged two years, twin girls aged four years, and Michael, is nine.

Willow Burn chief executive officer Helen Mills, who also ran in the 2012 event, said: “Jamie and Lorna are an inspiration.

“We have all made excuses about not having time to train, but none of our reasons come anywhere near having to care for six children, day in, day out, as well as earn a living.

“We are proud to have such motivated individuals supporting Willow Burn.”

Staff, volunteers, trustees, cancer survivors, past and present patient relatives, and new and long term fervent supporters of Willow Burn, participated in support of the charity that receives only 38 per cent of its income from Government sources each year and has to raise £800,000 annually, to enable it to continue to provide its services.

Anyone wanting to fundraise or volunteer for the hospice should contact (01207) 529224.