Dungannon woman, Rebecca Irwin, is taking on a double marathon challenge for two local charities in the next twelve months.
The first marathon will be the Belfast City Marathon on Sunday 5 May followed by the Dublin marathon taking place on Sunday 27 October.
Rebecca explains why she is taking on this challenge:
“Alongside my running partner, Vincent Conlon, we will be running two marathons for two charities this year. HUGS and Diabetes UK Northern Ireland are very special charities to us both.
“Both my father and my grandfather have Type 1 diabetes so I know all about the ups and downs of this very serious condition. My grandmother, Muriel Irwin, was recently awarded a BEM award for her volunteering work for diabetes and she was one of the founding members of the Diabetes Support Group in Dungannon. My family remains my inspiration to take on these challenges to help others living with diabetes.”
Diabetes is a condition where there is too much glucose in the blood because the body cannot use it properly. There are an estimated 4.7 million people living with diabetes in the UK. If not managed well, both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes can lead to devastating complications, including sight loss, amputation, kidney failure and stroke. There is currently no known cure for any type of diabetes.
To help Rebecca raise awareness and funds for us there will be a number of events organised; the first one will be a coffee morning and raffle on Saturday 23 March at Drumsallan Church Hall from 10am – 12pm. Everyone is welcome to come along for a cuppa and a chat to help show support to Rebecca and her chosen charities.
