Fix Auto UK’s Mental Health Champion Carl Norton Raises £7,500 from Last Weekend’s Great North Run

Fix Auto UK’s Regional Business Manager Carl Norton, a self-confessed non-runner whose trainers had gathered more dust than miles, successfully swapped the sofa for the start line – and completed his first Great North Run!

Taking on the iconic half marathon in memory of their son, Thomas, who tragically took his own life in 2023, Carl and his wife, Anne, laced up for the challenge with a mix of nerves, determination, and a good dose of humour. “We weren’t sure whether I’d make it to the finish or just the first water station,” Carl joked, “but Thomas was with us both every step of the way, and that gave us the drive and strength to keep going.”

In a deeply personal tribute, Carl – whose dedication to mental health awareness has inspired and is the driving force behind Fix Auto UK’s award-winning Mental Health First Aiders programme, has offered his heart-felt thanks to all within the industry who supported his cause as the couple raised an impressive £7,500 for If U Care Share, a charity dedicated to suicide prevention and bereavement support.

The couple crossed the finish line together in a respectable three hours seven minutes and, despite the success and experiencing the euphoria of taking part in such an iconic event that is local to them, he declared: “I’m proof if I can run 13.1 miles, anyone can. Just don’t ask me to do it again…!”