An invitation to the BBC Radio Newcastle Studios…

Saturday 19th October was one of those days you just don’t forget in a hurry. The sun wasn’t shining, the wind was blowing a hoolie – typical North East weather, but our spirits were high as we made our way to the BBC Radio Newcastle studios. Why? Because we’d been proper lucky to be invited onto the radio to chat all things Tyne To Summit, our love for the North East, and our big win at the prestigious Hadrian’s Wall Design Sprint.

Now, let’s be real, we were canny nervous. It’s not every day you get a chance to be on live radio, especially when it’s with someone as lovely and well-known as Gilly Hope. You know that feeling when your stomach does somersaults? Aye, that was us. But we knew this was an opportunity we just couldn’t pass up. After all, Tyne To Summit isn’t just about the walks and the events, it’s about building something much bigger – a real community here in the North East and we want it to be as big and as bold as possible. So having a platform like BBC Radio Newcastle to share that passion? That’s something dreams are made of!

When we walked into the studio, we were met with warm smiles and a few words of encouragement from Gilly herself, which definitely helped calm the nerves a bit, necking a good strong coffee usually does the trick as well, like. The conversation flowed so naturally once we got started. We got to talk about how Tyne To Summit came to be, born out of our love for the North East’s stunning landscapes and our desire to bring like-minded people together. There’s something special about this corner of the world – the hills, the coastlines, the people. And we’ve always felt like there’s more to celebrate, more people to connect with, more stories to share. Gilly really got that, and it made for an amazing chat.

Of course, we couldn’t not mention the massive win at the Hadrian’s Wall Design Sprint. Honestly, we’re still buzzing from that. It felt like all the hard work, the hikes, the planning, the pitching, the rain-soaked days (because let’s face it, the North East loves a bit of rain) had paid off in the best way possible. Winning wasn’t just about us, though. It was about what it meant for Tyne To Summit, for our community, and for all the folks who’ve supported us along the way.

The North East is more than just a place to us – it’s home. And being able to share that love with others, especially through Tyne To Summit, is something we’re truly passionate about. We’ve always said, “alone we can do so little, but together we can do so much,” and that’s never felt truer than when we look at what we’ve built and continue to build with the help of our amazing community. Whether it’s people turning up to our walks, helping out with events, or simply spreading the word – every bit of support means the world to us.

After the show, we had a bit of a moment. You know, that feeling of pride that you’ve just done something big out of your comfort zone? It was like stepping off a mountain after a long hike – a bit of relief, a lot of joy, and a load of excitement for what’s next. And what’s next, you ask? Well, we’re planning even more walks, more events, and more ways to bring people together in this belter part of the world we call home.

So, if you listened in to the show (and if you didn’t, don’t worry, we’ve got the link right here – 2:14:17 in and then again at 2:43:04!), we hope you felt a bit of that passion come through. We’re grateful beyond words for the chance to be on BBC Radio Newcastle, to chat with Gilly, and to spread the word about what we’re doing. And to everyone who’s been part of our journey so far, thank you. Here’s to many more summits, more adventures, and more connections. The North East has got a lot to offer, and we’re here to share it with you all.

Cheers for the support, and we’ll see you on the next walk!

Tyne To Summit Team