A group of family and friends are tackling the Great North Run in memory of a loved one who died after he slipped and fell from a roof.
Derek Heslop, affectionately known as Dez, was only 23 years old when he slipped and fell 15ft from a roof in South Shields and sustained a severe head injury on his fourth day in his new role as a roofer.
Heartbreakingly, his partner Rebecca Ward was six months pregnant with their first child. Now family and friends are looking to honour the actions of Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS) personnel in their response to Derek's accident.
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Miss Ward, from Consett, said: “GNAAS were first on the scene and airlifted him straight to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle where he remained in an induced coma for seven days.
“Unfortunately, he didn’t survive after everyone’s best efforts but if it wasn’t for the air ambulance acting as quickly and efficiently as they did, he would never have stood a chance.”
Mr Heslop sadly died in February 2014 but ever since, his family and friends who call themselves ‘Bees Knees’ have honoured his memory by running the Great North Run.
Over the years, they have raised thousands of pounds for GNAAS, who provide critical care 365 days a year to severely ill or injured people throughout the North East, North Yorkshire, and Cumbria.
Mr Heslop’s uncle Colin Staples said: "The first time I ran the Great North Run was in 1986 and overall I have ran it 10 times now. Over the past few years I have ran to support GNAAS after the great support given by them to my nephew.
“The feeling while running it with family members and the support of Derek's friends also running is very hard to put into words, other than you go through so many emotions with memories of Derek while running; laughter, tears and joy and then the achievement you have while crossing with everyone, along with knowing you have also helped support an amazing cause."
Mr Heslop’s friend Mark Dobson has ran the Great North Run twice for GNAAS and has signed up to do it again this year, alongside nine others.
He said: "GNAAS is a charity very close to my heart, they gave Dez the best possible chance of surviving after a tragic accident. Unfortunately he lost his battle. Running for GNAAS is like a big thank you for their efforts. The buzz on the day seeing everyone cheering each other on and the satisfaction you achieve for completing the race is second to none. Hence why I’ve signed up again and again."
Another person who is also running in memory of Mr Heslop is his sister Natasha Heslop, who previously ran the Great North Run in 2018.
She said: "When I lost my big brother Derek in 2014 it completely shook my world. I organised a number of charity events to raise money for GNAAS and in 2018 I signed up to my first Great North run and ran, walked and hobbled it while unknowingly pregnant with my first child. The support of the crowds and the other runners is amazing and believe me when I say you do not need to be a runner to complete it.”
Miss Heslop had signed up to take part again in 2020, but the race was postponed due to Covid, and the following year she had just given birth to her second child, however after cheering on ‘Bees Knees’ in 2022 she has decided to conquer 13.1 miles again.
She added: “I remember what a buzz the full day was, from start to finish. I signed up on the day in the GNAAS charity tent for 2023, you won’t find a more grateful supportive team. This time I will have my two children at the finish line and my big brother watching over me. I recommend if anyone does anything in their life it is to do one Great North Run."
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