Castlewellan group climbs new heights with donation

Castlewellan group climbs new heights with donation

30 September 2015

WOMEN are being encouraged to rediscover the feel good factor of outdoor activities through a unique club that is looking for new members.

The Feel Good Factor was established in April by a group of women who had a little bit of free time on their hands for the first time in years while their children were at school.

The school gate mums began to meet on their child-free Friday mornings, developing a shared interest in rock climbing, mountain biking and hill walking.

They enjoyed these sessions so much they decided to organise evening activities, prompting more women to join in.

Such was the popularity of these sessions, the founding women have now launched a new club, The Feel Good Factor, to provide opportunities for other women to get out and be active. 

They will host two information sessions in October to encourage new members to join the 35 women already on board.

Kath Maguire, the club’s Castlewellan chairwoman, said its roots were sown when her only child began pre-school, leaving her with some free time on her hands.

“I met mums from the school and we went mountain climbing or cycling together,” she said.

“It proved really popular and eventually I realised that by having a club it would mean everyone would be properly insured, while having the opportunity to get active, enjoy family events and enjoy the social side of sports.

“The feel good factor is aptly named as it is about getting a buzz and a break from routine.”

The Feel Good Factor is delighted to have recently secured £9,000 of funding from the Active Awards for Sport through Sport NI.

This money will be used to fund Feel Good’s new Ascend and Accelerate Project, which will target local women who currently do not participate in sports such as climbing, mountain biking and hillwalking.

It will let them access local resources and will also allow the club to establish a pool of equipment and give members access to training opportunities from beginner through to coaching award standards. 

A spokesman for Sport NI said the organisation was delighted to funded the project. 

“It is great to see that this investment of £9,000 is providing value for money and increased sporting opportunities,” he said.

“Projects such as this are vital in increasing the number of children and adults experiencing, enjoying and participating in sport and physical activity.”

As well as twice weekly activities, The Feel Good Factor runs family events which have recently included day trips to Awesome Walls in Dublin and a mountain biking weekend to Davagh Trails.

Anyone interested in learning more about the club or putting their name down for a session is invited to one of the information sessions on Tuesday, October 6, at 7pm at Hot Rock Tollymore National Centre and again on Saturday, October 17, from 2pm-3pm at ‘Life’ in Castlewellan Forest Park.

Anyone interested in attending is invited to send an email to thefeelgoodfactor@outlook.com or find the group on Facebook.