Kilcoo work colleagues to embark on two marathon challenge

Kilcoo work colleagues to embark on two marathon challenge

23 September 2020

TWO work colleagues from Kilcoo will be running the equivalent of two marathons within 48 hours to raise money for the NSPCC’s Childline service.

Noel O’Hare and Ionagh McEvoy are half of a team from Belfast-based debt strategists, Bell & Company, who will start tonight at 8pm to run four miles every four hours throughout the next two days.

Noel and Ionagh are both 29 and are members of Kilcoo GAC, where Ionagh plays camogie.

Working as marketing manager and practice manager respectively, Noel and Ionagh will be joined on the Power of 4 challenge by marketing executive Domilia Timonyte and the firm’s chairman, Terry Bell — each running 48 miles over the endurance event.

Noel is a regular runner, having completed both the Dublin and Belfast Marathons, and was part of the team from Kilcoo GAC who climbed Ben Nevis in Scotland several years ago, raising money for the club and the Cancer Fund For Children’s Daisy Lodge facility in Newcastle.

He said: “For over four years now, I have been involved closely with the NSPCC Northern Ireland and many fundraising efforts. I am particularly keen to undertake this challenge now the impact of the global pandemic is affecting such a charity I have grown to love and support.

“We need to band together and support amazing charities in these tough times as so many of their normal fundraising streams are now not available due to the covid crisis.”

Ionagh added: “Charities will find it extremely difficult to raise much-needed funds at this time and therefore I’m delighted to take part in this challenge and raise money for such an unbelievable cause.”

Joanne McMaster, NSPCC’s supporter fundraising manager for Northern Ireland, acknowledged the impact of the pandemic on the safety of children.

She said: “The shockwaves of the coronavirus pandemic are being felt across Northern Ireland. This has been a difficult time for every one of us. But, through it all, many children have been the hidden victims – suffering abuse and neglect at home, increased risk online, or further pressures on their mental health.

“It’s time for us to all work together – to rebuild our society so it’s better for our children, to continue to adapt how we work on the frontline of child protection and to go further. No child should be left to cope alone.”

To donate to Noel and Ionagh’s charity challenge, please visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/bell-company.