A group of ambitious and determined runners will arrive in Donegal this Sunday on the eighteenth day of their gruelling challenge in aid of The Children’s Cancer Unit Charity.
The CCU32 team from Belfast will arrive in Falcarragh this weekend, using the parkrun route at Ballyconnel Estate as part of their 32-day challenge which sees them undertake 32 marathons in each of the 32 counties of Ireland
Team CCU32 will be extending the usual 5k route to the full 26-mile marathon distance by repeating the course approximately 32 times until they reach the target.
Paul Tyrell from the team explained the rationale for the challenge and encouraged others to join them where they could. He said:“It was my friend Noel McNally’s idea to undertake this challenge of 32 marathons in 32 days in 32 counties – he knew I was mad enough to get involved so it didn’t take me long to sign up. We will be taking each day and each run at a time, focusing on the distance as opposed to times. For that reason, we would really love if members of the public would come out to cheer us on or join us on any of the runs in their area – even if only for a mile or two – as that would really help spur us on and get us over the line each day.
“The runners behind CCU32 all have healthy kids and we don’t take this for granted, so we wanted to give something back to families less fortunate than ourselves. I have been working at The Royal Victoria Hospital for 24 years, so we decided to raise money for their Children’s Cancer Unit. I am using all my annual holiday leave, but it’ll all be worth it, especially if we can raise our target.”
The team are aiming to raise £100,000 in order to buy a new ultrasound scanner for the Children’s Cancer Unit at the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children.
Speaking at the launch of the CCU32 Challenge, Jacqueline Wilkinson from the Children’s Cancer Unit Charity said:
“We are really excited and equally nervous about this colossal challenge that the CCU32 team have undertaken. Without their efforts and their support, we could not continue to assist the medical team and staff at the Children’s Cancer Unit or help to create a more welcoming and comfortable environment for their young patients and families.
“The ultrasound scanner that they are raising funds for is a vital piece of equipment that is greatly needed at the Unit, so we are incredibly grateful for their plans to reach such an ambitious target. The Children’s Cancer Unit Charity wishes the team the best of luck and we will be cheering them on the whole way.”
CCU32 will be undertaking the Donegal Marathon at Ballyconnel Estate, Strand Road, Falcarragh at 10am and members of the pubic are encouraged to join them throughout their extended run to help raise awareness and support during the challenge.
The CCU32 team are appealing for the public to join them on their runs or, if possible, donate on their Just Giving Page to help raise their target of £100,000 for the charity – found at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/ccu32
For more information on the Children’s Cancer Unit Charity or to find out how you can support the work of the Unit visit www.childrenscancerunit.com
Follow the team’s progress on Facebook here at : www.facebook.com/CCU32
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