Woman to walk Belfast Marathon for ‘Friends’

She says she was motivated to take part as her father has been combating cancer for the last eight years and has just finished the most recent round of chemotherapy.

She says, “Almost all of us have a cancer story touching someone in our families or circle of friends – maybe even a personal experience.

“We can readily identify with the fears and pressures which accompany a cancer diagnosis and understand the need for meaningful support in difficult times. That’s where friends come in. Not just personal friends, but also Friends of the Cancer Centre, the official charity of the Cancer Centre based at the Belfast City Hospital.

“This year the charity itself is looking for friends and is issuing a challenge to all of us to get behind it’s fund raising through the Belfast Marathon.

“As a way to raise funds to help support cancer patients and their families – taking part in the Belfast City Marathon is not a bad way to spend a morning. It’s good exercise and sure you can have a bit of fun with your mates along the way too.

“The charity’s staff are only a phone call away, offering information on what you need to register to run the Marathon for’ Friends’ before the late entry fees apply from Friday April 6 and before they ultimately close on Friday April 20.”

She has signed up for the marathon’s walk with her friend Sharon and Linda. There are several options:

Marathon Run / Wheelchair Race. 26.2 miles. 18 years or older

Marathon Walk. Choice of 9 miles or 26.2 miles. 16 years or older

Team Relay Event. Two to five participants per team (mixed or same sex), 16 years or older. It covers the same course but is split into five sections where the respective stage’s distances are approximately: 6 miles, 3.5 miles, 7.1 miles, 5.3 miles, 4.3 miles.

Fun run (3 miles – a different route to the rest). U16s must be accompanied by an adult.

As the leading local cancer charity based at the heart of Northern Ireland’s very own Cancer Centre at Belfast City Hospital, ‘Friends’ makes a real and meaningful difference to the lives of thousands of cancer patients and their families across Northern Ireland annually. It relies entirely on voluntary contributions, carefully administered and allocated under the direction of an expert panel. In every instance the projects and people funded by Friends are in addition to what is provided by the National Health Service.

Sign up with ‘Friends’ today. Contact Kelly on 028 9069 9393 or email [email protected]. If you run for Friends of the Cancer Centre, you will receive a ‘Friends’ t-shirt or running vest and a sponsorship form to help you get started raising funds for Northern Ireland’s Cancer Centre.