A Royal Navy Petty Officer who only took up running last November is preparing to tackle the Great North Run to raise money for SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity.
Sandra Cross, 39, is a serving member of the Royal Navy and works as a signal analyst in North Yorkshire.
Wanting to improve her fitness, Sandra began the Couch to 5K programme in November 2025. But what started simply as a way to get fit quickly turned into something much bigger when she discovered she had a natural talent – and enthusiasm – for running.
Less than a year later, she is now preparing to take on the 13.1-mile Great North Run in support of SSAFA.
Sandra said:
“I only started running last November because I wanted to get fit, so I decided to give Couch to 5K a go. I really enjoyed it and found that running came quite naturally to me, so I thought I’d give myself a much bigger challenge and enter a half marathon.
“As a serving member of the military and part of the wider Armed Forces family, I really like being able to support charities that are connected to that community. SSAFA does so much to help serving personnel, veterans and their families, so it felt like a really worthwhile charity to run for.”
SSAFA has been providing practical, emotional and financial support to serving personnel, veterans and military families for more than 140 years.
A spokesman for SSAFA said:
“We are incredibly grateful to Sandra for choosing to support SSAFA. To go from starting Couch to 5K last November to taking on one of the country’s best-known half marathons less than a year later is a fantastic achievement.
“Sandra understands first-hand what it means to be part of the Armed Forces community, which makes her support particularly special. Every pound she raises will help SSAFA continue to be there for serving personnel, veterans and their families when they need us.”
Sandra will join thousands of runners taking on the iconic Great North Run between Newcastle and South Shields.
Anyone wishing to support Sandra’s fundraising can donate here (https://AJBellgreatnorthrun2026.enthuse.com/pf/sandra-cross)
SSAFA volunteers have been helping the Armed Forces community – regulars and reserves, serving or retired, and their families since 1885. To volunteer or fundraise for SSAFA, or to seek support, search for “SSAFA near me”.
