The Great Run Company Proud to Support Smile Through Sport

The Great Run Company is proud to support North East disability sport charity, Smile Through Sport, for two of the charity’s inclusive sport events this week.

On Thursday 13 November 2025, Smile Through Sport is launching a brand-new school Boccia event in partnership with the Panathlon Foundation. Over 300 children with disabilities or Special Educational Needs. will take part across two venues – Walker Activity Dome, and Gateshead Leisure Centre – giving young people the opportunity to experience inclusive sport in action.

Paul Foster, Chief Executive at The Great Run Company, said: “We are proud to support a fantastic local organisation, Smile Through Sport, whose work not only supports communities in the North East, but provides people of all ages with disabilities the chance to be active through sport.

“We’ve chosen Smile Through Sport as our official company charity for 2025 and 2026, and this week we’re helping at their School Boccia Events with 40 employees taking part in a volunteering give back day, which means Smile Through Sport can host their school event in two locations – Walker and Gateshead.

“We also have a team of volunteers from both The Great Run Company, and FilmNova, our TV production arm, volunteering at Smile Through Sport’s largest Boccia Open this Sunday at Northumbria University.”

On Sunday 16 November 2025, Smile Through Sport will host its 12th Boccia Open at Sport Central, Northumbria University, welcoming 120 players and 60 volunteers from across the UK, making it the UK’s largest Boccia Open.

Competitors will travel from the North East, Yorkshire, Liverpool, Scotland and Surrey to take part in 19 separate competitions, featuring players with both physical and learning disabilities. Participants range from top-level England players to first-time competitors discovering Boccia for the very first time.

Founder and Paralympian Stephen Miller MBE said:

“It’s incredible to see how the Smile Boccia Open has continued to grow every year. We’re thrilled to welcome even more players and volunteers this year, and to see the community that has built around this event. Bringing people together through sport is what Smile is all about.”

Rachel Miller, Managing Director of Smile Through Sport, said:

“We are delighted to have the support of The Great Run Company and their employees who are joining us to volunteer this week. Their support is invaluable to us and has provided even more access to our events, with two locations for our school event made possible by their support.”

Boccia is a precision ball sport, originally designed for athletes with severe physical disabilities and now played at Paralympic level. It continues to grow in popularity across all abilities – and Smile Through Sport remains at the heart of that progress.