Geordie actor to take on Great North Run
Kema is raising money for the charity MIND, hoping to raise awareness of mental health support as he does it
Last updated 31st Aug 2023
There are less than 2 weeks to go, until tens of thousands of runners will be lining up at Newcastle's Central Motorway, ready to take on the Great North Run.
One of those runners will be Geordie actor and rapper Kema Kay, known for his role in Ken Loach's I, Daniel Blake, a role he will be reprising in the stage show when it returns to Northern Stage this autumn.
Kema is running to raise money for the charity MIND, who provide mental health support to people in need.
He explains it came about after creating a BBC Documentary, called Therapy Tough Talking, and going through some mental health struggles himself;
"Last year I went through quite a lot of difficult times - mentally - and I went to my GP.
"I was told I was sharing symptoms of depression, and I didn't really understand it, and my idea of mental health.
"I've always been the type of person, whenever I've been going through stuff, I've been like...
"Right - just get through it by working hard or mask it with achievements or distract myself,
"But I could no longer do that. So when the documentary came around - it was like 'I can get the help for myself and also help other people.'"
He reveals his entry into the Great North Run came about after a producer on the documentary suggested they raise some money for a charity to give more people help with their mental health as well.
He says it will have a special meaning for him;
"When you're running, you get tired - you feel like giving up, you slow down, like life.
"But I feel like you're always on a journey towards somewhere
"So once I pass that finish line - for me - it's symbolic, like I've managed to keep moving forward regardless of what I've gone through."
Despite moving to the North East aged 3 years old, and living here ever since - this will be Kema's first time taking on the iconic North East challenge,
He tells us he's both nervous and excited;
"This is the first time I'm ever doing it - in fact I usually don't even like running!
"So the training has been so intense,
"I was told - 'How have you never done it? You've lived in Newcastle almost your whole entire life.'
"And there's this thing - if you're from Newcastle you have to do it!"
You can find out where to support Kema on his fundraising page.
You can find out more about MIND, and the work they do online.
This year also marks the last competitive appearance of Sir Mo Farah.
READ MORE: Sir Mo Farah lines up alongside a competitive field at GNR
He has made the race an annual visit for the past several years - winning it 6 times.