To launch Northern Ireland Chest Heart and Stroke’s new Titanic and Causeway Marathon Walks coming up this September, the first brave sign ups from the Horatio Group, took a giant leap to inspire others to follow suit.
The Belfast based hospitality group whose popular restaurants include Madison’s Hotel and the Botanic Inn are encouraging as many people as possible to sign up for the Titanic walk which has particular significance to their staff.
“In December 2013, we sadly lost a great friend and colleague, Kevin Dorothy. Kevin was renowned for his humorous anecdotes and for sharing plenty of smiles and laughs with customers and colleagues in the 19 years he worked for the Company and is fondly remembered by all who had the pleasure of working with him”.
Kevin’s colleagues at Madison’s Hotel suggested that the Horatio Group help raise funds and awareness of the work of NICHS and they are hoping to do this by getting as many staff as possible involved in the marathon walk.
Whether you are an experienced walker or just looking for a challenge, sign up for either Belfast’s most exciting urban marathon walk at Titanic on 7th September or for the Causeway Coast Marathon Walk on 27th September. You can choose from two challenging distances of 25km and 50km on both walks which take in iconic sights as well as beautiful scenery.
The Horatio Group continued, “We endeavour to raise as much money as possible each year to support a worthwhile cause and this year is no different! We jumped at the opportunity to help fundraise for Northern Ireland Chest Heart and Stroke, an organisation which does a fantastic job in helping people and their families to meet the challenges of living with these conditions”.
Cheryl Brown, Events & Marketing Co-ordinater explains “Taking part in the Titanic or Causeway Marathon Walk will help NICHS raise vital funds towards life-saving research. The money you raise is also used by NICHS for the care and prevention of chest, heart and stroke illnesses.”
Cheryl continues “We work with people who have these conditions and their families, offering crucial practical and emotional support at what can be one of the most difficult times of their lives. Our support groups provide an opportunity for people to come together and share experiences while benefitting from a structured programme of activities including rehabilitation, exercise and information about their conditions. We do health promotion work in schools, with the homeless and in the workplace. We fund research relating to prevention, diagnosis, treatment and care. And we campaign at Assembly level for the people who are affected by these conditions and their families. So please sign up to one of our Marathon Walks and help us to continue the work we do. You really will make a difference.”
To register, or for more information, visit www.nichs.org.uk/marathonwalks or call 028 9032 0184.