Dowpatrick mum in call to sign up for Walk Ten walk

Dowpatrick mum in call to sign up for Walk Ten walk

17 August 2016

A DOWNPATRICK woman is urging people to support a charity walk in aid of Marie Curie.

Lisa Perry is appealing to people to sign up for the 2016 Walk Ten event which will take place on Friday, September 9 in the grounds of the Stormont Estate.

The Downpatrick woman will be taking part in the event with her daughter, Caithlin, in memory of her late father Jimmy who died of cancer 20 years ago.

Walk Ten event is now in its sixth year, during which time it has raised over £500,000.  This money has had a huge impact on people, and their families living with a terminal illness and has enabled Marie Curie to continue to deliver its nursing service in the community and at its specialist hospice in based in East Belfast. 

Lisa’s day job is a care assistant, but she also volunteers each week as a volunteer for the Marie Curie Helper service. The service reaches out to patients from the point of terminal diagnosis to provide help and support. 

Since February Lisa has been visiting a 99 year-old man for three hours a week. She provides companionship and also allows his 87 year-old wife to have a break. This may be the only time his wife leaves the house all week.

In addition to its nursing service, Marie Curie has used this money to develop and deliver innovative services that can help support more people living with a terminal illness. 

The services include the Helper Service that offers companionship and emotional support and the creation of a dedicated information and support telephone line (0800 090 2309) that offers useful information about living with a terminal illness and how to access expert nursing care.

Commenting on this year’s Walk Ten event, Ciara Gallagher, Head of Fundraising, Marie Curie NI said, “Walk Ten is a fantastic event and one that is always brilliantly supported by the public.  Walk Ten is a great excuse to get together with friends, family or colleagues for a beautiful 10K walk around Stormont.

Registration for Walk Ten is now open.  Walkers can sign up by visiting www.mariecurie.org.uk/walkten or for more information call 028 9088 2060.