Arya Hashemi is taking on this year’s Great North Run in memory of his late wife Kelly, raising money for Gateshead Health Charity to support St Bede’s Palliative Care Unit.
On 7 July 2025, Kelly Hashemi, wife of Arya and mother to Tabitha, sadly passed away at St Bede’s Palliative Care Unit after a three-year battle with ovarian cancer.
Following the care Kelly and her family received, Arya decided he wanted to give something back. He has already raised more than £5,500 for Gateshead Health Charity, with fundraising continuing ahead of the Great North Run on 13 September.
Arya has spoken movingly about the profound impact St Bede’s had on his family during Kelly’s final months:
“St Bede’s are very close to our hearts. They became like an extended family to us. The staff gave every part of themselves to make Kelly more comfortable while she was there. They provided us with a huge amount of support and it’s something that I’ll be forever grateful for and that I’ll never forget.
“They showed us a level of compassion I didn’t think existed in humanity. I remember my wife was really scared; she was worried about losing her dignity. That all dissipated immediately when we were welcomed into the hospital by these huge smiling faces. They just wrapped her up in a huge amount of love. It really didn’t matter who was looking after her — they all knew her, what interested her. They all made time to speak to her and find out about her and us.
“St Bede’s staff are some of the most giving and compassionate people in the world. To be able to run as a fundraiser for them is a very, very small way of saying thank you.”
When asked what difference he hopes the funds will make for other families, Arya said:
“It’s a completely overwhelming amount of money that has been raised. It is so significant that it means I can’t not do this — I have to now run. I know it will make a big difference to St Bede’s. The support they gave us as a family was monumental, and they do this day in, day out for many families. If they can be adequately funded, then they can continue doing that for many people at the worst point of their lives.”
Arya will join the Gateshead Health Charity team for his first Great North Run and is looking forward to taking on the challenge.
“I’ve had so many friends and family do the run including my late wife. Kelly said it was one of the best things she ever did. I never really thought I’d be in a position to do it and having done the AJ Bell Great North 10k a few weeks ago, it was a really nice precursor to it. I’m not a runner, this is all new to me, but everyone is so excited and happy, and I’m really excited to push myself.”
Arya’s daughter, Tabitha, is full of pride in her dad:
“It makes me feel good. I’m proud of him. He can do it.”
For Arya, taking part is about remembering Kelly and giving something back following the care his family received.
“I never thought I would be able to do this. I never thought I would be able to run such a long distance. I never thought I’d be able to raise a significant amount of money. If my family’s experience of St Bede’s has taught me anything, it’s the value of incredible hard work and a can-do attitude.”
Arya will take on the Great North Run on 13 September as part of the Gateshead Health Charity team, raising money to support St Bede’s Palliative Care Unit.
Support Arya’s Great North Run fundraising for Gateshead Health Charity to support St Bede’s Palliative Care Unit: Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust: In memory of Kelly Hashemi – fundraising for St Bede’s Hospice