First fundraising event for new Marie Curie charity group

First fundraising event for new Marie Curie charity group

10 July 2013

THE Donard Fundraising Group for Marie Curie has launched its first fundraising initiative — the ‘Power of An Hour’ fun run, walk or cycle event.

Taking place on Saturday, August 17 the event for all ages will start in Dundrum and take in Murlough Nature Reserve in a series of three, five or ten kilometre trails.

The Donard Fundraising Group was recently set up after local woman Alice Anderson lost her daughter Michelle Ranaghan to ovarian cancer while she herself battled breast cancer.

The aim of group’s first fundraising event is to pay for 600 hours of Marie Curie nursing care for people living locally by fundraisers donating an hour, or however long it takes, to complete the run.

Chairman of Donard Fundraising Group, Paul Madden, said: “This hopefully means any of our family, friends and neighbours who have, or who are ever diagnosed with cancer or a terminal illness, can be provided with the essential and compassionate Marie Curie nursing care in their home when they need it most.

“The statistic that one in three of us will be diagnosed with cancer at some point has recently been revised to one in two by 2020.”

The group’s PR officer, Jacqui Mason, explained that £20 would pay for an hour of Marie Curie palliative nursing.

“Every single penny and pound donated or raised by our group remains in our locality — put simply what’s raised in our area stays in our area,” she said.

“‘Power of An Hour’ is about doing whatever distance people are capable of; it’s the taking part in and helping to raise much needed funds that matters the most so bring the whole family along and have some fun.”

All entrants will receive a free ticket for a prize draw after the event.

Preregistration entry forms will be widely available throughout local shops and businesses in Castlewellan, Newcastle, Dundrum and their surrounding villages. Anyone unable to take part but wishing to make a donation to the group can do so at www.facebook.com/donardmariecuriegroup, where there are two ‘JustGiving’ links.

The Donard Fundraising Group can be contacted via email at donardfundraisinggroup.mariecurie@hotmail.co.uk, or telephone 07974 392790.