TWO supermarket managers from St Helens have raised thousands of pounds for charity by taking on the Great North Run.

Morrisons store manager Stephen Bishop and area manager Jim Toohey completed the half marathon in two hours, 39 minutes and 38 seconds and two hours 39 minutes and 42 seconds respectively in support of Sue Ryder.

Stephen said: “It was a brilliant but tiring experience, there are no other words to describe it.

"Jim and I have enjoyed raising money for Sue Ryder and I’d like to thank all my friends and family from St Helens, as well as colleagues and customers at Morrisons, for their support.”

Steve started his career with Morrisons at the Baxters Lane store 30 years ago and was the manager of the Boundary Road store for six years. He is now the manager of Morrisons Chester, while Jim is also a former manager of the Baxters Lane and Boundary Road stores.

The pair joined 30 colleagues from the Morrisons Midlands region at the event on Sunday, including regional managing director Ian Grace and Jim’s fellow area managers Brian Hunt, Allan Davis and Satnam Leihal.

In total, the region has raised more than £120,000 for the charity through its participation in the Great North Run.

Sue Ryder is a health and social care charity providing hospice and neurological care.

A Morrisons spokesperson said: "Money raised through the Morrisons 'Raise a Smile' partnership with Sue Ryder is funding new community services, family support teams and an online support community, providing the best possible care to people at the end of their lives and support for their families."

For more information about Sue Ryder visit sueryder.org and anyone who would like to donate £3 to the charity can text ‘SMILE’ to 70123.