Run for Home, the Lindisfarne anthem associated with the legendary Sunday for Sammy shows has new meaning as a dedicated team of ten runners take on the Great North Run 2025 with a bold goal: to raise £25,000 for the show’s 25th anniversary.
Among the team is actor Lisa McGrillis, whose career began 18 years ago at Live Theatre Newcastle, will also be on the start line. Lisa has graced stages at Northern Stage and the Customs House and starred in television favourites including Inspector George Gently, Hebburn, Mum and Sex Education. She is currently in the Netflix drama:” Rivals.”
Fellow actor James Baxter, a familiar face from Still Open All Hours, Alma’s Not Normal and Waterloo Road, who jokes that he “can’t wait to get blisters for this amazing charity,” which is so close to his heart. Musician Matt Saxon, the talent behind indie-folk project The Early Purple and a member of Little Comets, is also lacing up his trainers. A passionate runner since 2015, Matt has already completed two Great North Runs and is thrilled to be running his third for Sunday for Sammy.
Sammy Johnson’s grandson Nathan Hayes is running too. A fitness enthusiast, Nathan knew there was no better cause to run for and is pushing himself to achieve a sub-two-hour time. Victoria Johansen, daughter of former IBF World Cruiserweight Champion Glenn McCrory, has stepped up to take her father’s place when he was unable to run due to an injury and is determined to continue the family’s connection to the cause.
Ashington-born musician and songwriter Ben Harwood says it is a privilege to take part, combining his passion for local art with a commitment to help Sunday for Sammy support young creatives across the region. Also joining the team are entrepreneur and fitness enthusiast Ben Griffin, owner of Wata, whose North East roots and infectious energy make him a proud addition to the team and actor, singer and comedian Micky Cochrane — whose own career was kickstarted by Sunday for Sammy. Completing the line-up is seasoned endurance runner Ian McAllister, Head of Marketing at The Alnwick Garden.
Together, their efforts will fund 12 Sunday for Sammy Bursaries in partnership with Gateshead College. These bursaries will support the very first students to enrol on the College’s brand-new Level 4 Creative Enterprise (Concept to Creation) Diploma, designed for young people who have already completed two years of intense study in TV and Film, Content Creation, Journalism and Music Performance. Each bursary will remove the hidden costs that too often hold back talent — from travel and equipment to essential software subscriptions.
Ray Laidlaw, producer of the Sunday for Sammy show, explained:
“This isn’t just about crossing a finish line. It’s about opening doors, breaking down barriers, and funding 12 Sunday for Sammy Bursaries — giving talented young creatives from the North East the chance to follow their dreams.
“For many young creatives, these bursaries are more than money. They are opportunities. They are a camera in a filmmaker’s hands, a bus pass to a first industry job, a subscription that allows a budding content creator to keep learning, experimenting and building their future. With your support, £25,000 can change twelve lives — and help shape the creative future of the North East.”
Donations can be made at www.justgiving.com/team/teamsundayforsammy
Tickets for the show on 15th February 2026 are available from www.utilitaarena.co.uk/events/detail/sunday-for-sammy
About Sunday for Sammy
Sunday for Sammy is a biennial celebration of North East culture, created in memory of much-loved actor Sammy Johnson. The shows, which began in 2000, bring together some of the region’s most iconic performers — from music and comedy to drama — raising funds to support the next generation of creative talent.
Over the past 25 years, Sunday for Sammy has provided bursaries, mentoring, and practical opportunities to hundreds of emerging artists, helping them break into industries that are often difficult to access without financial support. The bursary programme continues to grow, ensuring that young people with talent and determination can follow in the footsteps of the North East’s finest entertainers.1