Hey folks,

Due to the help we have received as a family from Pretty n Pink, Breast Cancer Charity, and the much needed help they give to the rest of the community, i feel i need to give something back because without their existance, our wee family would not have had the support we needed at a very difficult time. 

My Wife Carol was diagnosed with Breast Cancer over a year and a half ago and it turned our lives unpside down. It affected the whole family in ways we could never imagine. Our kids were scared to death they were going to lose their Mum, their confidence was shattered. As a husband i feared i was losing my wife but had no time to feel sorry for myself as i had to assume full control of the household. And for Carol herself, i can only imagine the fear she was dealing with on a minute to minute bases. " What about my kids?" "What about my parents?" "This chemo is horrendous" "I feel so sick" "I'm going to lose my hair and nails" "AM I GOING TO DIE??" Millions of worries every second of the day. Attending Pretty n Pink for therapy with Kim was Carols only real restbite, were she met with people going through similar. I availed of their services myself which i found helpful too, being able to relate to Leanne who her herself wasn't a sufferer but did have a family member going through the same thing, which helped me understand my own feelings too and how natural they were.

So i am committing to running an Ultra Marathon 30miles/50km's from Andersonstown to Newcastle on Sunday 4th June 2023. Something i have never done before and something that scares the shit out of me a bit. I know it will leave me unable to walk for a while, but whats a bit of sacrifice for such good cause, eh.

I will not be doing it alone, my young friend Decky Monaghan will be joining me for this entire run and helping fundraise. Donations will be very much appreciated and you can donate via our Justgiving page link, with all the donations going straight to helping Pretty n Pink, Breast Cancer Charity.

We are also on the look out for some Cyclists who would volunteer to cycle behind us as with my limited experience of running on the roads, i have found cars tend to be cautious and go road cyclists but when running on the road there has been a few close calls, so to speak 👀. Cyclists can also be a big help in carrying a wee backpack for of fuel for the runners, gels water etc.

We do have a number of volunteers so far for the cycle side of things, Michael Downey, Piers Donnan, Cormac Lewsley, Kevin Maguire and Paddy Hannon. Also, Carol herself and good friend Louise Cassidy have both volunteered to run along with us for the last 10km. 

Business owner Barry Crossan from Welders Corner, Colin Glen will provided services in his van to back up the cyclists in case they need bike repairs during the journey and of course bringing the bikes home. Also like to thank Decathalon @ Holywood Exchange for lending bikes to some of our Bike-lists that were bikeless. Much appreciated. More cyclists and runners welcome....