Blisters Sisters to take part in walk for Macmillan cancer charity

Blisters Sisters to take part in walk for Macmillan cancer charity

15 August 2018

MOST evenings a group of self-styled ‘Blister Sisters’ can be seen pounding the pavements in Ballynahinch and beyond.

The group of around 17 friends have become so addicted to the walking ‘high’ that it takes a major event to knock them off their Monday to Friday week night routine. And now they are once more putting their energies to good use by raising money for charity.

Last year the group supported member Joanne Hall who undertook a 50-mile trek to raise money for Motor Neurone Disease (MND), inspired by her friend Willie Annett, who is living with the disease. 

Joanne also chose the length of 50 miles because she turned 50 last year. 

Sticking with the theme, this year Joanne’s ‘50by50’ is for Macmillan Cancer Research, in honour of her sister, Jacqueline Hamilton, who is being supported by the charity.

After their East Belfast to Portavogie jaunt last year, this time round the Blister Sisters will be walking from Ballynahinch to Carrickfergus and back across two days on August 17 and 18.

“We leave the Square at Ballynahinch at 8.30am on Friday, we are having our breakfast at Granny Bo’s, and we will going through the town, on to Belfast Lough and Jordanstown and finishing at Carrickfergus,” said Joanne. “Then we come back the next day. Hopefully some more people will be joining us along the way.”

The Blister Sisters can often be seen in training departing the Langley Road in Ballynahinch, and walking several miles a day.

“We walk three, four, five miles, bar the weekend, rain hail or shine,” said Joanne. “The girls are great company. We were friends before and we are family now. We are all there for each other.

“We also depend on the likes of my husband who drives the minibus for us.”

Joanne and her supportive son, Matthew, also took part in a ‘Brave the Shave’ sponsored head shave to raise money for Macmillan.

“A week later it is growing back,” she said. “It is funny to see yourself in the mirror but it was definitely worth it.

“We made an evening of it at the community building in Langley Road. There was a raffle with gifts kindly donated, which will all go towards the total.”

To make a donation, visit the ‘Joanne’s 50 by 50’ Just Giving page (https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/joannehall107). Alternatively, contact any of the Blister Sisters for a sponsorship form.