What started as a whimsical suggestion by one of our team has become a reality! On 1st May, Fighting Words NI supporters will be tying their laces, stretching their hamstrings and between them running 52 miles to raise money for Fighting Words Northern Ireland. Our two relay teams are made up of staff, volunteers and our friends the Annadale Striders.

We're aiming to raise at least £2,000 to develop much needed digital resources and a new website to enable every young person in NI to take part in creative writing. Writing is an essential skill and is also about joy, imagination and getting to know ourselves, others and the world around us.

As friends and supporters of Fighting Words NI, there are lots of ways to join in: you can join the relay team on the day, you can join us on our group runs or even train with us in parallel. Well be sharing our training on social media and wed love to have you join us. Well be logging our training on Strava, so youll be able to see our progress. And please come along to cheerlead on Marathon Day! Banners and posters especially welcome!

Since 2015, we've run thousands of free creative writing opportunities for schools and young people ages 6-18. We put the pen in their hands and show them they can use their imaginations, voices and experiences to shape the future they want for themselves.

We publish and broadcast our young writers' stories, poems and plays online, at showcases and performances. We work with teachers to develop materials and opportunities for them to use creative writing to engage their pupils in the classroom.

And we are helped in all that we do by a cast of amazing volunteers who assist at all our workshops, giving participants the one-to-one support and encouragement they need.

Thank you so much for your support and please come along on 1st May to cheer us on through the streets of Belfast!