From running for office to cash goal

Apr 26 2008 by Dan Warburton, The Journal

TONY BLAIR touched base in Tyneside yesterday to hand over £50,000 from his own pocket to those raising cash for his sports foundation.

The former Prime Minister was given the last 100 spots in the Great North Run which will be handed to competitors who promise to raise £1,000 each for the Tony Blair Sports Foundation.

And to get them off the mark Mr Blair said yesterday he would personally sponsor each person with £500. His charity was set up last year to encourage young people in the North East to take coaching roles in sport.

Yesterday he took to the treadmill beside race organiser Brendan Foster at Gateshead International Stadium as he pledged his own money to volunteers.

And after jogging 163 metres – the length of the Tyne Bridge – he admitted he was in better shape than when he left office.

He said: “Towards the beginning of my time in office, I realised physical fitness was an important part of doing the job.

“It’s a very physically demanding job and therefore keeping fit is important.

“But since I have left, I have been able to regulate my life and take more exercise.

“Setting up the foundation is different to dealing with things like the NHS, but it’s all important because it’s all part of the same thing. It’s about helping people into physical fitness, and that is a major factor in the years to come because of the ageing population and because we are dealing with more and more different conditions. We have to make sure people lead more healthy lives.”

Mr Blair looked trimmer and fitter than in his official portrait unveiled this week – and to prove it he was put through his paces by young athletes.

National-standard 100m sprinter Faye Bowles, 16, of Cavendish Close, Darlington, gave Mr Blair his first taste of sprinting from the blocks. And the teenager was unfazed after meeting the former Number 10 resident.

She said: “I’ve actually met him before, but he won’t remember that. He came to a training session at my club, the Darlington Harriers, and I did a demonstration then. But after seeing him twice, I’d say he has potential as a runner.”

Also spectating were the first youngsters to benefit from the foundation.

Four Gateshead College pupils have been sponsored on athletics training courses so they can nurture the next generation. Michael Briggs, 19, of Imeary Street, South Shields, said the foundation had given him the chance to coach.

“It helped pay for my course and has given me the chance to do what I’ve always wanted to do. I train with South Shields Harriers in the 100m, the 200m and the long jump, but I’m only really competing so I can learn how to coach.”

Tanni's praise

ALSO inside Gateshead International Stadium yesterday was Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson who has won 16 Paralympian medals in her outstanding career.

And the Welsh athlete took time out to praise the former Prime Minister for choosing the North East for the focus of his foundation.

She said: "One of the major things for me was that he didn’t have to choose this region. He could have taken the foundation nationally but he stuck to the North East and for me that’s a real powerful message.

"Sport costs money, and it’s expensive for coaches. For athletes they are doing it for self gain, but for coaches they are doing it for other people."

Dame Grey-Thompson also spoke of the inspirational affect that her first coach had imposed on her.

She said: "Coaches are huge inspiration. The first coach you get is the person who keeps you in the sport or makes you leave.

"I remember my first coach being absolutely incredible for me."