A south Armagh family who lost their mum to cancer seven weeks ago are planning a fantastic 24-hour health and well-being to raise funds and say ‘thank-you’ to MacMillan Cancer Support.
The fundraising event will take place from 8pm on Friday, January 31, until 8pm on Saturday, February 1, in Lissummon Community Centre.
A 24-hour spinathon is the main attraction alongside a coffee morning hosted by MacMillan Cancer Support from 10am on the Saturday.
Other activities included a family 5km walk at 2pm on Saturday alongside kids circuits sessions, nutrition and well-being presentations and exhibitions, yoga and circuits classes taking place over the 24-hour extravaganza.
It will culminate with refreshments and entertainment.
The event is the brainchild of the well-known O’Hagan family from Lissummon.
Delighted with the support so far from the local community and beyond, Rose Barron explained: “We lost our mum seven weeks ago, and experienced first-hand the care, dedication and professionalism of the Macmillan Cancer Support Team.
“We have all seen the posters and ad campaigns for Macmillan, but it’s not until they come through your door, to assist someone you love dearly, that you realise how vital their service is, not only in terms of the medical care to the patient, but the support they give to the family.
“We will be forever grateful to the Macmillan nurse who attended mum the day she passed away.
“Many families in the Newry and Mourne area, like ourselves, have availed of the services of Macmillan and we felt, as a family that organising this fundraiser we could, in some small way, say thank you, by helping to raise much needed funds for the service in this area.
“So, anyone who has an hour to spare, and feels like doing a bit of spinning, please contact one of our organisers, or if you just feel like a cup of coffee, a tasty treat, and a bit of craic, please call in to our coffee morning. All donations will be gratefully accepted.
Martha McGrath, Chairperson of Macmillan Cancer Support Newry Fundraising Committee, expressed heartfelt thanks to the O’Hagan family.
She hailed their “efforts and dedication to raising vital funds for people living with cancer in Newry and Mourne in memory of their late mother Mena”.
And Martha added: “This money enables Macmillan to provide practical, emotional and financial support to people living with cancer and most importantly to be there when they need us most.”
Eugene O’Hagan said there has been good interest to date and appealed for more to come on board.
He said: “We have a fair few of the 24 hour spinning slots already booked up.
“We commenced with five bikes and that has now increased to 10 bikes per hour and we have plenty of slots remaining.
“I’m calling on all spinners, walkers, cyclists, health and fitness fanatics, coffee and tea drinkers, families and local businesses to come along and support us to raise some funds for this great charity which will touch all our hearts at some stage in our lives.”
For more information on the event or if you wish to book a spin slot contact Eugene O’Hagan on 078 6778 1171 or Nicola McCamley on 077 1416 3541.
