A five-strong team of staff from a County Armagh school will be lacing up their trainers this weekend as they put their best foot forward for charity.
And the classroom colleagues – Colin Slaine, Gareth Wallwin, David McClelland, Geoff Farr and William Graham – will do so for a cause close to their hearts.
For the Clounagh Junior High School contingent are preparing to make their way to the North Coast to take part in the Alzheimer’s Society’s Giants Causeway Trek 26 Challenge.
Some of the walkers know first hand the cruelty of a condition which sadly affects so many people.
And for that reason, they want to raise as much money as possible to help others when they need that support so much.
It will be an early start come Saturday as the team set out.
Colin Slaine told Armagh I : “There’s two walks and it’s all organised. We park the car at the Ulster University in Coleraine and there’s a shuttle bus out to the Carrick-A-Rede Rope Bridge. You can either finish at the Bushtown Golf Club or you can walk on to the Ulster University again.
“Originally, we were intending to do the full walk, which is 26 miles, but I have been attending physio for a knee issue and that’s why we only decided to do the half walk.
“I would be a walker. Last year I would have walked the Austrian Alps, it wouldn’t be an issue, but just this time around, no, because I didn’t want to be crippled for the rest of the year.”
This is not the first time that Clounagh Junior High staff have hit the fundraising trail in support of worthy causes.
As Colin explained: “Some time ago they would have done things. They would have run legs of the Belfast Marathon, but we haven’t done anything like this for a little while now.”
The pupils and fellow staff at Clounagh, meanwhile, have been very supportive to the five in their fundraising endeavours.
And the community too have been backing them with very welcome donations.
“The reaction’s been very good,” added Colin. “There’s quite a few people have supported us which we’re grateful for.
“The Alzheimers Society’s a very worthwhile charity. It’s something which affects an awful lot of us. This is an organised walk they do every year so if anybody would like to do it next year it’s a worthwhile thing.”
There’s only one drawback at this stage as far as the walkers are concerned.
After Northern Ireland’s traditional and tantalisingly brief taste of summer, the boys may pack their brollies!
“Unfortunately for us the weather’s to break, so sod’s law, after a week of sunshine I think it’s giving heavy showers on Saturday morning,” laughed Colin.
Still, the support received – and the knowledge of why they are doing it – will keep them putting one foot in front of the other and carrying on regardless!
If anyone would like to support the Clounagh JHS teachers by way of a donation, you can do so here.
