Former RAF serviceman set to run the Great North Run dressed as a Lancaster Bomber

David Moulds will be taking part in the Great North Run for the first time on Sunday, September 10, dressed as a Lancaster Bomber as he aims to raise money for the Royal British Legion.

The former RAF serviceman is set to travel to the North East from his home in Lincoln to run the iconic half-marathon.

The 58-year-old has revealed to NewcastleWorld what he is most excited about as he heads to the region for the Great North Run.

He said: “I’ve ran the London Marathon in the past and the atmosphere there was great but everyone says that the atmosphere at the Great North Run is just so much better.

“I have been in the area before but never actually in Newcastle itself so I’m really looking forward to running over the Tyne Bridge.

“Then the finish line along the seafront in South Shields is just so iconic, it is a really beautiful area and given that I’ll be going at a steady pace with the costume on, I’m really looking forward to taking it all in.

“Having served in the RAF, the Royal British Legion (RBL) is a charity that is close to my heart so to raise money for them is great, especially as both my parents were lifelong members of the as well.

“It meant that a lot of my childhood was in and around the Legion, plus this year marks the 80th anniversary of The Dambusters raid so that makes it a little bit more special.”

The Lancaster Bomber costume also takes on another meaning for David, as he currently works at the Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre where the team is restoring a Lancaster Bomber, named ‘Just Jane’, to airworthy condition.

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Once the ten-year project is complete, ‘Just Jane’ will only the third airworthy Lancaster in the world.

David has also revealed what the reactions have been like from those closest to him when he came up with the concept of running in the Lancaster Bomber costume.

He added: “At first, I think people thought I was a bit mad but I’ve been taking it out for test runs so people round here are a bit more used to it now.

“The current version of the costume is the second one that I have created.

“I took part in the Woodhall Spa 10K recently and the first version was falling apart by the end so I’ve been able to make some modifications off the back of that and it is now ready to go.”

The Great North Run will head place on Sunday, September 10, following the iconic route which starts in Newcastle and finishes along the coast in South Shields.

Last week, Nexus announced that wristbands, which act as tickets for the Metro and Shields Ferry, are now on sale to ease the stress of travelling on the public transport system on what will be a busy day.