Killyleagh family taking to roads to back charity

Killyleagh family taking to roads to back charity

27 March 2013

A KILLYLEAGH family is taking part in a major fundraising event next month in aid of the William Syndrome Association of Ireland.

The charity provides support for families whose loved ones suffer from a non-hereditary genetic disorder and members of the Martin family will be doing their bit by taking part in a walk from Belfast City Hall to Dublin City Hall.

Marceila Martin’s son Scott suffers from William Syndrome and his mum, niece and

sisters are taking part taking part in the walk to help raise funds to send children ho suffer from the genetic condition to a music camp at the Share Centre in Enniskillen.

Scott, who celebrates his 19th birthday in May, is also taking part in the walk, and is looking forward to joining in with other members of his family.

Mum Marceila will walk for 10 miles along with her niece Cheryl, while the Killyleagh woman’s sisters Sabrina, Katherine and Megan are all walking for five miles.

“We wanted to do something to raise money for the William Syndrome Association and its walk from Belfast to Dublin next month provides us with the opportunity to do that,” said Marceila.

“We have been getting in some practise ahead of the event but last week’s bad weather halted our preparations. We hope it improves soon.”

Marceila said she’s pleased her sisters and niece will be joining her and Scott, with the Killyleagh family setting itself a target of raising £1,000.

“Funding to send children to the music camp in Fermanagh this year has dried up and that’s we decided to take part in next month’s walk,” she explained.

“People who have loved ones who suffer from William Syndrome will be dipping in and out as the walk makes its way from Belfast to Dublin and we are hoping that the weather will have improved by the time we are due to set off.”

Marceila said she is delighted with the support she and Scott have received from her family and that everyone is looking ahead to the walk.

• Anyone who would like to support the Killyleagh family’s fundraising effort can do so by contacting Marceila on (028) 4482 1711. Donations can also be made by the William Syndrome Association of Ireland’s Facebook page.