I am running the Hackney Half Marathon on 20th May in memory of my wee bro and best friend in the world Michael Cullen who tragically passed away earlier this year. Michael was an extraordinary person and so loved by all who knew him. He went missing on 9 January and was missing for 22 days... the darkest days of my life. It was during this time that I first encountered the phenomenal Community Rescue Service (CRS).

From the first day I met the CRS team up the Cave Hill on a search for Michael I felt confident and assured that they would do anything and everything in their power to find him and they did. They never gave up searching even when every lead was exhausted. The team engaged with us allowing us to participate in the searches for Michael at a time when we felt completely helpless. They listened to us and offered kind words and kept us safe throughout the searches. I honestly don't know how we would have gotten through those 22 days without their relentless work and support. As the days passed and I got to know some of the team and I was shocked to learn that the CRS is a voluntary organisation relying on donations to carry out their vital work in communities across Northern Ireland.

There are no other organisations doing what the CRS do! They intervene at a critical time for so many vulnerable individuals. They provide crisis intervention, suicide intervention, rural and urban search, water rescue, community support and education as well as support to the families affected. The CRS volunteers work tirelessly around the clock and their work is incredibly difficult both physically and emotionally.

I would like to raise awareness and funds for the CRS to help them to continue providing search and rescue response for missing persons across the entire region of Northern Ireland. Donations will help the CRS to purchase equipment to allow volunteers to conduct missing persons searches more effectively and efficiently as well as to provide training for CRS volunteers. All CRS volunteers are trained to high standards which are recognised by other rescue organisations such as the PSNI and Fire Services.

The outpouring of support and love we received during Michael's search campaign was overwhelming and testament to the kind of person he was. Without the work of the CRS we may never have found Michael and been able to say our goodbyes to him. I, my family and Michael's friends may never have had the closure we needed so desperately to grieve for our loss and try and move forward with our lives.

Please, please give generously to allow the CRS to continue their amazing work and support people like me!