Many of you will know Andy Scott as our Association Treasurer and the coordinator of our attendance at the annual Cenotaph Parade in London. Some may also know that he has spent the last two and a half years completely rebuilding his house.

What fewer people know is that on 13 September 2026, Andy will be taking part in his 25th consecutive Great North Run in Newcastle. Even when the event was cancelled in 2020 due to COVID-19, he kept his streak alive by running a virtual Great North Run around his village.

Andy first entered the race in 2001 after his sons told him he was “too old” to complete it. After proving them wrong, the event quickly became a family tradition. This year, his elder son Gareth will be running his 24th Great North Run, while younger son Greg takes on his 21st. Although they once ran together, the years have taken their toll on Andy’s pace, and these days Greg usually finishes first, followed by Gareth, with Andy proudly completing his own race behind them. Over the years, they have also completed numerous half marathons, including Cheltenham, Cardiff, Bristol, Stroud and Reading.

Since 2001, Andy has raised money for Prostate Cancer UK, a cause close to his heart after a former RAF colleague was diagnosed with the disease. Thankfully, thanks to treatment and support, he went on to live for many years. Today, one in eight men in the UK will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during their lifetime, and many of us will know someone who has been affected.

If you would like to support Andy, Gareth and Greg in their fundraising efforts, donations can be made via their JustGiving page:

https://www.justgiving.com/page/andrew-scott-4

We wish them all the very best for the Great North Run and congratulate Andy on reaching this remarkable 25-year milestone.