This year, the team at Made to Engage have nominated three local charities to support in our fundraising efforts this year.

Our first activity is running in the Belfast City marathon on the 5th May.

Each of our nominated charities are critical in supporting us and our community and we are proud to support such varied causes this year.

Marie Curie - It's rare to find someone who hasn't been affected by a devastating terminal illness in their life. Our ageing population means more and more people are living with a terminal illness in the UK. Whether that's dementia, cancer, motor neurone disease, heart failure, Parkinson's disease, or any other illness, Marie Curie are there for you and your family to help you cope after a terminal diagnosis.

Kevin Bell Repatriation Fund - It's hard to think of anything more devastating than losing a loved one. We know that this pain and heartache can only be toughened when this person isn't at home when they die. The Kevin Bell Repatriation Fund aims to alleviate the financial hardship of bereaved families in repatriating the body (or bodies) of loved ones who have died abroad in sudden or tragic circumstances back to Ireland.

Aware NI - Most of us have been touched in some way - either personally or through someone close to us by depression or mental health illnesses. We are supporting Aware NI this year as we want to eradicate the stigma associated with talking about our mental health, and by doing so - help someone to get the support they need. Aware aim to promote emotional health and well-being. To help people build resilience and maintain positive mental health. To ensure people with depression and bipolar disorder can access appropriate support and to increase public understanding of depression and reduce the stigma surrounding the illness.