On the 1st May 2022, three teams from Struggle 2 Strength will be taking part in the Belfast Marathon Relay, each running a leg ranging from 4 miles to 6.9 miles. Each team is raising money for a charity that is very close to their heart, and as all charities are local and relatively small, the money raised will make a great impact and ultimately help someone within our community in the future. Together we are setting ourselves a collective target of £4,500, which gives each charity £1,500.

 

Below are the 3 charities that we have chosen to help.

 

Mental Health - Mindskills Training

Struggle to Strength was established to promote Comfort, Confidence and Community among all members, with the importance of mental health being first and foremost. S2S strives to educate the importance of a healthy body and a healthy mind, in order to be a happy human.

 

The Mental Health Relay Team is running for Mindskills Training, a charity that advocates for the prevention of suicide. They believe that we as a society, have a responsibility to ensure that young people, adults, teachers, parents and carers alike within our community, have the opportunity to discuss the subject of mental health in an open, frank and honest way.

Mind Skills offers training for mental health & suicide prevention within the community and schools, as well as life coaching and motivational speaking.

As another local charity based in North Belfast, all funds raised for Mind Skills will significantly impact this charity.

Running on the Mental Health Team are Seán O'Cléirigh, Emma Uí Cléirigh, Conor Doyle, Dave McGeown and Anna Seaward.

 

 

 

 

Infant Loss - Ulster Hospital Maternity Bereavement Suite, Belfast

Only 5 months ago, S2S Members Nina and Conor Doyle, lost their baby daughter Ellie Bridie Doyle. Ellie was diagnosed with Trisomy 18, a genetic condition and was born and passed away on 11th October 2021 in the Bereavement Suite at the Ulster Hospital. The suite itself is situated on the opposite wing to the maternity wards so as to provide sensitivity and privacy for parents going through the worst time of their lives. It houses all the medical equipment needed for the mother as well as bathroom, kitchen and sleeping facilities for a partner and visiting relatives. The suite is the only room available in the maternity hospital for bereaved parents and it is shocking how often it is required. The bereavement nurses provided the most amazing care and support to Nina and Conor and once Ellie was born, included their daughter Dana in creating treasured memories as a family, including Ellies Feet prints, keep sake boxes and photographs. The Bereavement Suite relies heavily on donations and our aim is to raise enough to purchase a ‘cuddle cot’, a cooling device placed inside the bassinet which gives families the gift of time, allowing for their precious angel to be at their bedside during their hospital stay.

Running on the Infant Loss team are Nina Doyle, Lorna Reynolds, Colleen McCluskey, Megan Mason and Nuala Murray.

 

 

 

 

Breast Cancer - Pretty in Pink

Kasia Mckinney is a S2S member and is leading up the Breast Cancer relay team. Kasia is married to John and together they have 4 beautiful children, Olivia, Jack, Lilly and the baby of the family Charlie.

On 8th of October 2019, Kasia was diagnosed with Breast Cancer at the age of 36, when her son Charlie was just 5 months old. A few short months later just before Christmas Kasia started chemotherapy, followed by intense radiotherapy and hormone treatment which she will be on for 5-10 years. Not long after starting her treatment Kasia began fundraising for Cancer Fund for Children, who were a lifeline to her children in particular throughout her treatment. She is a true inspiration. 

 

Alongside Kasia, S2S has a second Breast Cancer warrior, Julie Lillis, who continues to receive treatment while training with the S2S community. Since being diagnosed Julie has rallied and tried to bring as much awareness as she could to the disease. From cycling to every screening clinic in the North, and appearing on radio, news reports and tv shows raising as much awareness as she could. 
She's a role model and someone we can learn a lot from, she's handled everything with so much strength and grace that even when she's having her weakest day, she's stronger than most.

Pretty in Pink, Northern Irelands Breast Cancer Charity supports patients with Breast Cancer and their families, financially and emotionally, during the most challenging time of their lives. The charity also works to create breast cancer awareness and breast care awareness among people in Northern Ireland.

 

Running on the Breast Cancer Team are Kasia McKinney, Rachel Peters, Kasia Wójcik, John McKinney and Katie Prendergast.

 

 

 

 

Good luck to everyone. Let's raise a fantastic amount of money for these three amazing charities!