This Sunday, 23rd September, the Falls Park will be host to hundreds as they take on the Run for Anto 5k Colour Run.
Open to all ages and abilities, the race will raise much-needed funds for deterMND, the charity set up by former Antrim GAA football captain Anto Finnegan following his motor neurone disease diagnosis in 2012.
Motor neurone disease (known as ALS in the U.S.) is a rare neurodegenerative condition, brought to the world stage most recently by the 2015 ALS Ice Bucket Challenge and passing of Professor Stephen Hawking in early 2018. The illness attacks the nerves that communicate movement signals to muscles, leading to muscle wasting and immobilisation. Those with MND lose the ability to walk, talk, speak and eventually breathe. There is currently no cure.
Sean Kelly, Antrim GAA PRO said, “We are really looking forward to what is set to be a great event that has already raised an impressive amount of money for deterMND. It’s about coming together in support for Anto and his family, but there are of course great prizes of free GymCo membership to be won for the more competitive of participants.”
Following his MND diagnosis, Anto and his wife Allison have been raising awareness of the life-limiting illness and fundraising for patient care and research. Since 2013, deterMND has raised in excess of £140,000 with donations made to Project MinE, an international research project which focuses on the sequencing of DNA in order to identify and ultimately treat faulty genes associated with MND.
Those running are invited to continue the day post-race at a Family Fun Day hosted by The Devenish Complex. There will be a bouncy-castle, face-painting and a petting-zoo to entertain the whole family.
“The whole GAA community in Antrim and beyond are behind Anto and his family, as are the local community here in Belfast. We would encourage anyone to take part and enjoy a really fun family day out for a brilliant cause. Registration is still open online, but on-the-day participants are also very welcome”, Sean added.
“We’d like to thank all our sponsors for helping us deliver the event, including, The Devenish, O’Neills, The Kennedy Centre, Gym Co. and our partners at Upper Springfield Development Trust. We look forward to seeing everyone out to support Anto at Falls Park.”
To register for the event, visit ticketsource.co.uk/runforanto. Registration is £10 per adult, £5 for those under 12. Registration is also available in store at O’Neills in the Kennedy Centre and The Devenish complex. All money raised will go directly to deterMND.