A TransPennine Express (TPE) conductor manager is running the world’s largest half-marathon in celebration of a former colleague and her father – and to raise money for a mental health charity.
Lucy Kilby from Manchester, is running the Great North Run, a 13.1-mile route from Newcastle to South Shields for much-loved TPE colleague Dominic Johns.
Dominic, known as Dom, was a driver manager based at Manchester Piccadilly and Liverpool Lime Street, who died in March 2023.
She is also running to celebrate her late dad, Michael – and aims to raise funds for Andy’s Man Club. The men’s suicide prevention charity offers free-to-attend peer-to-peer support groups across the United Kingdom and online. It aims to end the stigma surrounding men’s mental health and help men through the power of conversation.
Lucy said: “I wanted to do the run to celebrate two great guys and raise some money for a charity that is close to my heart. Both had the most infectious smiles and never knew the impact they had on everyone they met.”
TPE is a supporter of Andy’s Man Club – with the train operator unveiling a specially wrapped train dedicated to the charity last year. The Class 185 train is visible throughout the north, encouraging people to seek help when they need it.
Lucy added: “We need to remove stigma around mental health and Andy’s Man Club do this so well, their work really resonates with me and is something I talk about a lot with my colleagues.
“I am honoured to be running for Andy’s Man Club – it’s the perfect charity for me to support.”
The Great North Run takes place on September 8. Lucy’s fundraising page can be found here
