More Than 730 Participants Set for Smile Through Sport's Biggest Boccia Programme Yet

The Great Run Company Proud to Support Through Staff Volunteering and Community Fund Grand

• 47 Great Run employees volunteering at School Boccia events on Thursday
• More than 500 schoolchildren taking part across Smile Through Sport’s expanded school programme
• More than 730 participants across four days at five venues during November
• UK’s largest Boccia Open returns to Newcastle on Sunday 15 November
• Smile Through Sport has received an enhanced grant from The Great Run Community Fund, which was established for 2026 as part of Great Run’s ‘GNR50 Give Back’ strategy, delivered in partnership with Sported.

The Great Run Company is proud to continue its support for North East disability sport charity, Smile Through Sport, helping to deliver an expanded programme of inclusive Boccia events across the region this November.

On Thursday 12 November, 47 employees from The Great Run Company will volunteer at school events at Walker Activity Dome and Gateshead Leisure Centre, helping hundreds of children from local schools and SEN provisions experience and enjoy Boccia.

The events form part of Smile Through Sport’s expanded 2026 programme, delivered in partnership with the Panathlon Foundation, giving more than 500 schoolchildren the opportunity to take part in Boccia across two dates and three venues.

Smile Through Sport has also received an enhanced grant from The Great Run Community Fund, which was established as part of Great Run’s ‘GNR50 Give Back’ strategy, delivered in partnership with Sported. The inaugural 2026 programme focused on grassroots sport and community organisations across the North East, with 37 grants awarded and more than 5,000 people expected to benefit from the organisations supported by The Great Run Community Fund.

Paul Foster, Chief Executive at The Great Run Company, said:

“This Thursday, 47 colleagues will be volunteering at the North East School Boccia events, with more colleagues from Great Run and FilmNova lending a hand at the Smile Boccia Open on Sunday.

“This year, we’re building on that hands-on support with an enhanced grant from The Great Run Community Fund. It means we can help Smile Through Sport reach even more people across the North East and create more opportunities for children, young people and adults with disabilities and complex needs to get active.

“Bringing together funding and volunteering is a really important part of our Give Back commitment, and we’re proud to play a small part in helping Smile Through Sport continue to grow its impact.”

Funding from The Great Run Community Fund is supporting after-school and holiday activities for children and young people with SEND, as well as expanding activity opportunities for adults with disabilities and complex needs across the North East.

Across November, more than 730 participants will take part in Boccia over four days and five venues, bringing together disabled athletes, schoolchildren and older adults. The expanded programme includes three school events and, new for 2026, a dedicated competition for people living in sheltered accommodation across South East Northumberland.

UK’s Largest Boccia Open Returns to Newcastle – Sunday 15 November

On Sunday the flagship Smile Boccia Open returns to Sport Central at Northumbria University.

Competitors will travel from across the North East and wider UK, including from as far afield as Surrey and Belfast. Players aged eight to 70 years old will compete across 20 separate competitions, ranging from those experiencing Boccia for the first time to elite squad members.

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 and has helped us to increase capacity and create even more opportunities for children and adults to experience Boccia.

“The combination of volunteering and funding has enabled us to extend our reach, and we’re incredibly grateful to everyone at Great Run for their continued support.”

Boccia is a tactical and highly competitive Paralympic sport designed for people with physical disabilities. Smile Through Sport’s programme brings together people of different ages and abilities, using sport to encourage participation, build confidence and create connections within communities.