Running in memory of dedicated ambulance driver

A family is raising money to keep late NHS worker’s spirit alive.  

On 13 September, Chris Dobie from Chester-le-Street will be running the Great North Run to raise money for the Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS). 

He is running in memory of ambulance driver Maurice Farrelly who worked at Walkergate Park where Chris’s wife Kat was a patient.  

Loved by all at the hospital, Maurice died from Covid in 2021.   

In 2017, Kat had a stroke just days after giving birth to the couple’s son Teddy and spent six months at Walkergate Park.  

Maurice and Kat spent a lot of time together driving to appointments and he was the one who drove Kat home when she was discharged from hospital.  

Chris describes Maurice as a lovely bloke. When he wasn’t driving, he was always at the front desk chatting to patients or coming onto wards to ask if there was anything he could help with.  

“Maurice is missed by everyone,” Chris said.  

“He was always thinking of others. Doing the run in his memory is my way of keeping his spirit alive. Maurice was Walkergate Park.” 

Chris only started running in April this year after deciding to 

take part in his first park run the day before his 50th birthday.  

It quickly turned into something he loved. As well as weekly park runs, he also goes to a running club twice a week, something he says isn’t like him at all! 

Chris has done the Great North Run once before in 2007 and says he couldn’t walk or a week afterwards. He’s doing a lot more training this time around.  

Running has had a profound impact on Chris.  

“It has really helped my mental health,” he said. “I was recently diagnosed with ADHD and going for a run helps calm my mind. When I’m running, I don’t think about anything else. I feel like a different person.” 

Chris is very much looking forward to the challenge and says he’s more excited than nervous.  

“I can’t wait to get on that start line. As well as for Maurice, I’m doing this for me. I want to do well.” 

Maurice’s daughter Cat works as an administration officer at Walkergate Park, fittingly, organising patient transport.  

She said: “I was so shocked when Chris said he was running in dad’s memory. My mam cried when I told her about it. I feel so honoured that he would do such a nice thing.” 

Kat and son Teddy, 8, will be there on the day to cheer Chris on joined by members of staff from Walkergate Park.  

Help Chris reach his fundraising target here or use the QR code below. 

Part of Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust (CNTW), Walkergate Park provides services for people with a disability caused by injury or disease affecting the brain, spinal cord or muscles.