Hear from Colm
Why have you decided to take part in 2017’s Deep RiverRock Belfast City Marathon?
For the past number of years William Coates has participated in the marathon raising money for a good cause and I’ve been lucky to be able to help support them by taking part in the relay teams, maybe even next year I’ll try for the whole marathon.
Why have you become an official ambassador for Mencap? Do you have any personal connections to the charity?
Having seen the work Mencap do and the facility they provide to so many children in need it is clear Mencap is a very rewarding charity to support.
Mencap is the official charity partner of the 2017 Deep RiverRock Belfast City Marathon. We want to encourage others to get active for Mencap – what reasons would you give other people to encourage them to take on a Marathon challenge and fundraise for Mencap in the 2017 Deep RiverRock Belfast City Marathon?
When taking part in the marathon relay it’s not just for you own personal goal but to help raise awareness for those that need our help to give Mencap more opportunities in helping others.
What would be your top reason why people should get involved and #StepUp4Mencap and what are your tips for staying active?
Join a running group to meet new people to help motivate you progress can sometimes be slow and frustrating but keep at it.
What are your best words of advice for someone who is taking on a big challenge, like the marathon for Mencap?
Don’t think about it, just do it.
Hear from Lynsey
Why have you decided to take part in 2017’s Deep RiverRock Belfast City Marathon?
I decided to challenge myself the one thing sports wise I’ve never been able to do before is run even as a child id of been out of breath by the end of the driveway, so instead of breaking myself in gently and training myself for a 5 or 10k run I thought I might as well go all the way and do a marathon and so I couldn’t talk myself out of it in November I signed up for the 2017 Deep RiverRock Belfast City Marathon.
Why have you become an official ambassador for Mencap? Do you have any personal connections to the charity?
No I don’t have any personal connections with the charity when I seen that it was the official charity for the Deep RiverRock Belfast City Marathon I looked into the charity and was really impressed by what I was seeing and reading, then our company was kindly invited down to the Mencap centre and seeing it first hand was just very overwhelming with all that the centre can offer it really is helping people with a
learning disability
A learning disability is to do with the way someone's brain works. It makes it harder for someone to learn, understand or do things.
to live their lives as they choose.
Mencap is the official charity partner of the 2017 Deep RiverRock Belfast City Marathon. We want to encourage others to get active for Mencap – what reasons would you give other people to encourage them to take on a Marathon challenge and fundraise for Mencap in the 2017 Deep RiverRock Belfast City Marathon?
The feeling of achieving something you have been training for and being able to say you have completed this challenge and along with that you have raised money for a fantastic charity.
What would be your top reason why people should get involved and #StepUp4Mencap and what are your tips for staying active?
It’s a fantastic centre and what they are able to provide for the children is just incredible. Tips for staying active would be do something you enjoy and don’t push yourself to far, even change your catch up with your friends to going on a walk or a Pilates class instead of meeting for a coffee when you have someone else doing an activity with you it makes it more enjoyable.
What are your best words of advice for someone who is taking on a big challenge, like the marathon for Mencap?
The best words and advice I could give for someone taking on a big challenge such as the marathon is to give yourself plenty of time to train, running has taught me to always push forward especially in the most difficult times as it doesn’t matter what happens between the starting line and the finish line all that matters is you cross both.
Hear from Paul
Why have you decided to take part in 2017’s Deep RiverRock Belfast City Marathon?
The personal challenge and an opportunity to raise funds for the charity.
Why have you become an official ambassador for Mencap? Do you have any personal connections to the charity?
No personal connections, simply because it was the nominated charity.
Mencap is the official charity partner of the 2017 Deep RiverRock Belfast City Marathon. We want to encourage others to get active for Mencap – what reasons would you give other people to encourage them to take on a Marathon challenge and fundraise for Mencap in the 2017 Deep RiverRock Belfast City Marathon?
The personal satisfaction in meeting the challenge, plus having been to Mencap House I have seen first-hand the tremendous work and needs for funds.
What would be your top reason why people should get involved and #StepUp4Mencap and what are your tips for staying active?
The great work that is being done by the
organisation
An organisation are a group of people who work together.
. To stay active, get involved in something enjoyable (running, walking, swimming ect) then it’s not a chore.
What are your best words of advice for someone who is taking on a big challenge, like the marathon for Mencap?
Pace yourself and stick at it.
Hear from George the dog
Why have you decided to take part in 2017’s Deep RiverRock Belfast City Marathon?
Unfortunately, dogs can’t take part but for everyone that has decided to take part this year I will be waiting around the finish line looking for my Mum to give her a big slobbery kiss and hug to congratulate her and help motivate her to the finish line, everyone look out for me when crossing the finish line I’ll be wearing my new Mencap t-shirt and feel free to come over and say hello to me.
Why have you become an official ambassador for Mencap? Do you have any personal connections to the charity?
I don’t have any personal connections to the charity however Fiona was very kind and allowed my Mum to bring me to the centre and I have seen for myself the amazing facilities they have for outdoor fun and activities.
Mencap is the official charity partner of the 2017 Deep RiverRock Belfast City Marathon. We want to encourage others to get active for Mencap – what reasons would you give other people to encourage them to take on a Marathon challenge and fundraise for Mencap in the 2017 Deep RiverRock Belfast City Marathon?
Taking on a Marathon challenge will only change your life for the better it will make you feel good about yourself stepping out of your comfort zone whether its training for 3.2 miles of the relay leg or running the full 26.2 miles the satisfaction of doing something you never thought you could achieve is rewarding in itself and what makes it even better is whilst training for it you get to raise money for such a great cause.
What would be your top reason why people should get involved and #StepUp4Mencap and what are your tips for staying active?
My top reason for why I think people should get involved and step up for Mencap would be that not only is the centre improving lives of people with a learning disability but they are there to support their families as well. With being a Cocker Spaniel my favourite thing to do is to be active be it swimming in the sea though that normally leads to going home for a bath which I don’t enjoy, I love going on long walks with my mum, playing with my toys in the house and recently my Mum has taken up running so she takes me along with her on her shorter runs.
What are your best words of advice for someone who is taking on a big challenge, like the marathon for Mencap?
My words of advice would be to remember that a little progress each day adds up to big results.