Aware NI & Aeracha Uladh

Hi everyone, and thanks for visiting my page!

This year, I’m running a leg of the Belfast Marathon, and I’m using the opportunity to raise money for two causes that mean a lot to me — both creating much-needed safe spaces in Northern Ireland.

One is AWARE NI, who are the depression charity for Northern Ireland — a topic which is never easy to talk about, but one that needs massive amounts of funding, help, and awareness raised to continue doing the great work in helping people, on their darkest days, to see a way forward. In Northern Ireland, approximately one in five adults experience a mental health problem, and Northern Ireland has the highest rate of poor mental health among the UK jurisdictions. It's hard to look left or right in today's world without seeing someone who has been impacted by mental health, or has a loved one who has. What a great charity to raise some much-needed funds for.

The second is Aeracha Uladh GAC — my beloved Gaelic team and second family. We provide a safe space for the LGBTQIA+ community and all their lovely allies to partake in the sport of GAA and LGFA, as we believe everyone deserves a safe space to be involved in sport. We have created a community of like-minded people who love being healthy, happy, and confident through GAA and LGFA. We are very much self-funded through memberships and fundraisers, and need all the help we can get to continue offering a space to be yourself and enjoy playing sports!

So, dig deep and give what you can to raise as much as possible to share between these two great causes — and, of course, to simply play a part in putting me through my paces and pushing me over the line, as I'm sure the image of me throwing up at the side of the road is priceless in itself!

Thank you, and take care.