Ministers give Michaela a send off before marathon

Ministers give Michaela a send off before marathon

17 June 2015

AHEAD of her monumental marathon for Muscular Dystrophy UK, the unstoppable Michaela Hollywood has received the Stormont seal of approval.

Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness and Health Minister Simon Hamilton have wished the 25 year-old from Crossgar well for Sunday’s challenge and spoke of her inspirational example at a meeting this week.

Wheelchair user Michaela has spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), a condition that causes muscles to weaken and waste. But joined by over 200 supporters including celebrities, politicians, family and friends, she will power through the streets of Belfast on her epic fundraiser, starting and finishing at the Parliament building.

Despite recently spending a long period of time in hospital fighting her condition, Michaela has meticulously planned every inch of her 26.2 mile journey, which will see her pass the Royal Victoria and City hospitals, and the University of Ulster.

Michaela is taking on the marathon in memory of her sister Martina, who also had SMA and sadly passed away in 1997, aged just 14 years old.

Among those walking a mile with her are Olympic medal winning boxer Paddy Barnes, TV’s Pamela Ballentine, her GP Dr Nigel Harte, fellow patient Marianne Cleary and best friend Peter Duffy who is travelling over from England for the event.

Michaela depends on a range of equipment to keep her alive — feeding tubes, cough assist machines, ventilators — and the support of her family, who will be there cheering her on on Sunday as she and her Quantum Pro Sport wheelchair take to the streets.

She has set a fundraising target of £2,620 to reflect the 26.2 miles that face her over the marathon, and which will take around eight hours to complete.

As well as being at active fundraiser, Michaela is a founding member of Trailblazers, a group of more than 600 campaigners for Muscular Dystrophy UK.

She said the Stormont seal of approval was a boost ahead of her latest gruelling challenge.

“It was great to meet the Deputy First Minister and the Health Minister, their support has really spurred me on as I make my final preparations for Sunday,” she said. “My final mile will be one of the most difficult, as I take on the incline of Stormont Hill. With my sister in my mind, and knowing that I am raising awareness of muscle-wasting conditions, I am confident I can get to the end.”

Mr McGuiness said he was honoured to welcome Michaela to Stormont.

“Michaela has set herself a gruelling fundraiser which will draw on all her mental and physical toughness,” he said. “Michaela has faced great personal challenges in her life but through her positivity and resilience is an inspiration to all of us.

“I have no doubt she will succeed and raise much needed funds for Muscular Dystrophy in the process and I wish Michaela every success.”

Mr Hamilton said: “Michaela has been a tremendous campaigner for Muscular Dystrophy UK for a number of years and her determination and motivation to complete this challenge will undoubtedly be another milestone for her. Michaela’s fantastic strength of character and will to succeed is outstanding and I pass on my best wishes as she undertakes this remarkable challenge.”

To help Michaela reach her target of £2,620 sponsor her at: justgiving.com/MoveMilesForMichaelasMuscles