Mouse on his marks; Success for fun-runner.

Byline: By DAVID OLD Industrial Reporter

AHUGE mouse was seen pounding the streets in a bid to raise cash for a children's charity.

Super-fit Richard March, 40, business development manager at Kavli, the company behind Primula Cheese, had been training hard for the Great North Run in the knowledge he would run dressed as the mascot Nibbles the Mouse.

Richard pledged his commitment to charity The Children's Foundation and completed the course in two hours 50 minutes - raising hundreds of pounds in the process.

He said: "I'd been training hard but not in the full outfit, so I was really pleased to run it as quickly as I did.

"People were brilliant, there was a real camaraderie among the runners and everybody asked about Nibbles the Primula Cheese mascot, I even gave away some free samples at the start.

"I've taken part in several half marathons before, but I must admit I've never done one dressed as a 6ft mouse."

Richard has been busy raising money and has been helped by a pounds 250 pledge from his employer in Team Valley, Gateshead.

He said: "I always run for a children's charity - I have three kids of my own - and this time chose The Children's Foundation because of the excellent work they do supporting and helping children across the North East."

Marketing director at Kavli Craig Brooks said: "We are all really proud of Richard's achievement and in raising money for such a worthwhile cause as The Children Foundation."

Kathryn Fisk, fundraising manager of the Children's Foundation said: "I'm delighted to hear that Nibbles is running for the Foundation.

We'll make sure that Nibbles receives a cheesy treat at the finish line."

CAPTION(S):

DASH - Nibble straining with some of his colleagues; SUPER-FIT - Richard March ran the Great North Run dressed as a mouse