Runner to strap giant baked bean tin to back to raise money for Newcastle food bank at Great North Run

A man will be running the Great North Run with a giant baked-bean tin on his back, to raise awareness and funds for the Newcastle West End Food Bank.

Bob McKay, who has worked with Newcastle West End Food Bank for many years, will be participating in the half-marathon, wearing the tin strapped to his back, which he made himself with the help of his family.

The hand-painted giant tin, which was originally a drum, donated and delivered by ITP Packaging has been made to look like a Heinz tin of baked beans, but has ‘West End Food Bank in Newcastle. 23,709 food parcels issued in 1 year’ written across it, as well as information on how to donate.

Bob created a video to further help spread awareness of the Newcastle-based food bank, which was uploaded to YouTube, titled ‘Bob’s Fundraising Video’. The video shows clips of the food bank itself, as well as of the tin being made, and further information about why it is important to Bob to run for this particular cause.

Read Newcastle’s news on the go with our free email newsletters - bringing the headlines to your inbox. Catch up on the day’s news and sport and enjoy even more from the NewcastleWorld team. Visit our website here to find out more and sign up.

So far on his donation page, which can be found at Runs4Food.com, Bob has raised £751 of a £1,000 target, with the help of 31 donors.

Writing on his donation page, Bob said: “Having heard the stories of some families struggling and having grown up in a deprived area, my family and I try and make a donation every month.

“Unfortunately, those needing help from the foodbank are now outstripping the donations coming in so they need our help now more than ever.”

He continued: “I run fairly regularly so don’t feel like I can ask for sponsorship without doing something extra.  To that end, I will be running with a 200L giant baked bean tin strapped to my back to raise awareness about the foodbank, with my donation URL on the sides.”