Andy Burnham becomes first UK PM to complete Great North run For homelessness charity

UK’s Prime Minister Andy Burnham successfully completed the 45th Great North Run, finishing the famous 13.1-mile course from Newcastle to South Shields in just under two hours.

Wearing a branded jersey, he joined thousands of runners in the North East's landmark athletic event to champion a deeply personal cause.

The Prime Minister ran the iconic half-marathon to raise vital funds and awareness for Changing Lives, a prominent homelessness and housing charity.

His participation follows a recent visit to the organization's supported accommodation service in Newcastle, where he met directly with residents to discuss the multi-faceted challenges of rebuilding a life after experiencing rough sleeping.

Speaking after crossing the finish line, Mr. Burnham emphasized that tackling homelessness remains a core moral mission for his administration.

He noted that his firsthand encounters with the charity's frontline workers solidified his commitment to providing ongoing, holistic support systems—spanning housing, mental health, and personal recovery to help vulnerable individuals off the streets permanently.

On Sunday September 13, Burnham became the first serving Prime Minister to run the 45th Great North Run, the 13.1-mile course from Newcastle to South Shields, while raising funds for the homelessness charity Changing Lives.

He donated 15% of his first month's prime ministerial salary and posed with race founder Sir Brendan Foster before starting alongside broadcaster Chris Kamara, Ben Shephard, and Peter Reid after a casual breakfast.

The massive event featured a Red Arrows flypast and highlighted the North East's tradition of community charity runs, with some noting differences in elite and mass field gender categories.