The Team ‘Wey Aye-BD RESPONSE’ included 14 researchers, patient representatives, and members of the wider IBD-RESPONSE network and finished as the top fundraising team on the AJ Bell Great North Run Fundraising platform, raising nearly £10,000 for Crohn's & Colitis UK, exceeding their initial target of £3,500. You can still donate to this fantastic fundraising effort at https://ajbellgreatnorthrun2025.enthuse.com/pf/wey-aye-bd-response.
IBD-RESPONSE is a UK-wide flagship research study, led in Newcastle, dedicated to improving treatment outcomes for Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. With nearly 900 participants and over 400 researchers across 40+ NHS Trusts, they are using cutting-edge science to understand how the gut microbiome, immune system, and diet influence treatment response.
Crohn’s & Colitis UK are the UK’s leading charity for Crohn’s and Colitis and right now, over 500,000 people in the UK are living with a lifelong disease that many people have never heard of. They play a vital role in supporting the team’s work, which is why they wanted to give back by fundraising for the charity. Every penny raised helps to fund research to improve diagnosis and treatment for those living with these lifelong conditions, and to raise awareness of the disease. A whopping £45.7K was raised for Crohn’s & Colitis UK at the run in total.
Professor Chris Lamb: “The Wey Aye-BD RESPONSE fundraiser at this year’s Great North Run was a celebration of our multidisciplinary research programme in Newcastle. The team brought together clinicians and scientists in raising the profile of Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis and the important research needed to improve patient’s lives. We are so grateful for the generosity of our supporters who have donated nearly £10,000 for the wonderful charity, Crohn’s & Colitis UK!” Dr Chao Dong: “It’s been an incredible experience doing GNR for the first time. I would not have been able to do it if it wasn’t for our amazing team! Also, very proud of our team too being the top fundraiser for a great cause!”
Professor Chris Lamb: “The Wey Aye-BD RESPONSE fundraiser at this year’s Great North Run was a celebration of our multidisciplinary research programme in Newcastle. The team brought together clinicians and scientists in raising the profile of Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis and the important research needed to improve patient’s lives. We are so grateful for the generosity of our supporters who have donated nearly £10,000 for the wonderful charity, Crohn’s & Colitis UK!”
Dr Chao Dong: “It’s been an incredible experience doing GNR for the first time. I would not have been able to do it if it wasn’t for our amazing team! Also, very proud of our team too being the top fundraiser for a great cause!”