OAP Keith Minton is a Great North hero

Mar 27 2009 by Paul Loraine, The Journal

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APPROACHING seventy, most people would be content with a pair of slippers and a comfortable chair.

But, 25 years since his first Great North Run, Keith Minton is pulling on his shorts and trainers once more.

Teacher and translator Mr Minton, who will be 69 when the run takes place in September, is running in aid of Guide Dogs for the Blind.

Because he has a problem with one of his retinas he says it is a cause he can identify with.

Shortly before last year’s run, Mr Minton’s dog Scooby died, lending a poignancy to his choice of charity.

He is one of several people to have been nominated for the BUPA Great North Run Award, in association with The Journal, which will be presented at The BUPA Great North Run Hall of Fame Charity Dinner.

Nominating your choice for the award could give you or your nominee the exclusive chance to attend the star-studded ceremony at the Gateshead Hilton Hotel on April 7.

Mr Minton, a father-of-three, from Edgewell Grange, Prudhoe, Northumberland, said: “I’m delighted to have been nominated for the award as there are so many people who do great things every year.

“I have run for Guide Dogs for the Blind more recently but I’ve also run for a Multiple Sclerosis charity when I first did back in 1984.

“I’m very fond of dogs and I have very short sight which is getting worse. I think it’s a really worthwhile charity and they do great work.

“They don’t get supported like some of the big charities but they do marvellous work.”