Darlington woman does 220 miles for Alan Shearer Foundation

Heather Ford, 42, of Darlington, will be facing the ‘Race Across Scotland’ ultra-marathon this August.

The event takes place from August 9 to August 13, 2025, following the scenic Southern Upland Way, and participants have 100 hours to complete the route.

Heather Ford. (Image: Heather Ford) The Alan Shearer Foundation, based in Newcastle, is a unique facility offering sensory, therapeutic, leisure, and social activities for free to people with profound disabilities.

The centre also offers specialist residential care and short-break services to help the families who attend.

Heather said: “I’m not the hero, the heroes are the people that are in the centre volunteering and working, and also the families.

“The emphasis is all on them. I’m just the wally running 220 miles to raise awareness and some money. These guys are the legends.”

Heather signed up to this event last year, but only recently decided to raise funds for the Alan Shearer Foundation after she saw them online and was amazed by their work.

She added: “When I found them I thought ‘what a fab place’. I got in touch with them asking if people raise money for them and they were actually trying to push for that, because they don’t get many people doing that.

“There are people in Darlington who use the centre, so that’s how special it is that people are willing to travel there.”

So far, she has already raised more than £1,100 for the foundation.

Heather said: “I honestly set out to raise about £500 but then thought I’d aim higher to a grand, and actually it’s already passed that. I’m now hoping to just get as much as possible.

Heather Ford. (Image: Heather Ford) “I’ve never been one for asking for money. I totally recognise that you can’t give to every charity and I know times are tough, but even one or two pounds makes a huge difference.”

The ultra-marathoner doubles as a single mum to two children, Thomas and Emily, and as a dog owner.

From left: Emily (daughter), Heather, Thomas (son). (Image: Heather Ford) She expressed how taking on challenges like this feels like “a form of escapism” from the busyness of everyday life.

Heather said: “I personally find it quite empowering to do something hard. I purposely put myself in challenging conditions so I feel that if I can do that, I can navigate looking after myself and the children.

“We juggle a lot in life, but when I’m doing these events it strips it back to the core elements. When I’m out and the person shouts ‘go’ all I think about it where I’m going, how I’m getting there, and whether my body is okay. I’m not checking Instagram, being questioned by the kids, being called by work or having to walk the dog.”

Heather running with her dog, Olive. (Image: Heather Ford) Matt Bowmaker, 42, head of the Alan Shearer Foundation, said: “What she’s doing is phenomenal. It’s a massive challenge she’s taking on, and when someone steps up like that, it means everything to us. Every penny raised makes a real difference.”

It currently costs the foundation £320,000 yearly to keep running, so fundraising efforts like Heather’s make a big impact on how much can be offered to those who use it.

“Raising the money gets tougher every year. We want to grow, improve, and reach more people, but the priority is keeping it free,” added Matt.

“What she’s doing is exemplifying what we’re hoping the community will do. We’ve been putting a real push behind fundraising lately with our new message – Raise Your Hand to Help.

“For families who rely on the centre, it changes everything. That’s the heart of it for us.”