Running for Sharon: a Great South Run filled with love and purpose

When Rebecca Welland got in touch with us to tell us about her plans for running the AJ Bell Great South Run in memory of her dear friend, Sharon, we were incredibly moved to hear the story. 

Rebecca explained that "Caring for Sharon wasn’t a job - it was a joy. We shared countless adventures (and a bit of mischief too), and I only wish we'd met sooner."

So on Sunday 19th October, she did it! Rebecca ran the Great South Run wearing a t-shirt with a photo of Sharon and in her honour to support others living with JIA and to celebrate the strength, humour, and resilience she showed every single day.

Rebecca smashed her target of £500 and raised an incredible £615 towards our vital work. We asked Rebecca to reflect on the day and her amazing achievement and write a few words for us. Over to Rebecca: 

On the 19th of October 2025, I took part in the Great South Run in honour of a wonderful friend I had the privilege of caring for - the lovely Sharon.

Sharon sadly passed away in 2024 at the age of 70. Despite the many challenges she faced, she lived a full and vibrant life, never allowing anything or anyone to hold her back. She was a talented writer, a passionate artist, and a devoted animal lover. Most of all, she was one of the most resilient, independent, and spirited people I’ve ever known - living her life with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) and doing so with strength and humour.

During the nearly ten years I cared for Sharon, we would often joke about me taking on the Great South Run; me doing the running while pushing her along in her wheelchair! The thought always made us laugh, especially since the idea of me running felt like a distant dream. But before her passing, I had actually begun running and, true to form, Sharon laughed at that too!

When Sharon passed away, it was a heartbreaking loss for everyone who knew her. I wanted to honour her memory in a meaningful way, so I made it my personal mission to complete the Great South Run for her. I also wanted to make a difference for others living with JIA and that’s when I found the Juvenile Arthritis Research charity. This charity reflects everything Sharon stood for. She grew up in a time when little was known about her condition, and she often had to rely solely on her family’s love and determination to help her thrive. Now children and families affected by JIA don't have to face the diagnosis alone, thanks to the support provided by Juvenile Arthritis Research.

Completing this run was not only a personal achievement but a way to spread a message that Sharon embodied every day: your condition does not define you - it helps shape the incredible person you become. And that's what makes you truly superhuman.

Though she is no longer here, Sharon’s spirit ran beside me that day - a reminder that love, laughter, and resilience never truly fade.

If you've been inspired by Rebecca to do your own fundraising, you can request a free fundraising pack at www.jarproject.org/fundraising

Every penny raised supports children and families affected by JIA and brings us closer to a world where no child has to suffer from arthritis.