Ricky ‘The Hitman’ Hatton is calling on aspiring athletes from Wirral to sign up for a champion time at this year’s Great North Run and raise vital funds for RNID’s research programmes and services for people who are deaf or hard of hearing.

The IBO World Light Welterweight Champion is urging readers to register for RNID's guaranteed places at the world’s biggest half marathon, which takes place on Sunday, September 20.

The places are available on a first-come, first-served basis to fundraisers who pay a £40 registration fee before the July 17 deadline and raise a minimum of £325.

Ricky said: “You don’t need to be fighting fit to sign up for RNID’s Great North Run team but you’ll be making a powerful contribution to changing the world for deaf and hard of hearing people.

“Get in the running now for a knockout time and help raise vital funds for RNID’s research and services around the country.”

Money raised by fundraisers pounding the 13-mile route from Newcastle to South Shields will help fund RNID’s services, which provide essential support for deaf and hard of hearing people, and the charity’s research into understanding the causes of hearing loss.

For more information about running for RNID, contact Caroline Jupe on telephone / textphone 0845 634 0687 (local rate) or email events@rnid.org.uk or visit www.rnid.org.uk/greatnorthrun