Hello, my name is Caoimbhe Quinn and this year I’ll be running the Belfast City Marathon in May. This will be my first marathon and I am really proud to be fundraising for Willowbank Community Resource Centre located in Dungannon.

Willowbank is a service I work closely alongside through my role and it’s a place I have huge respect for not just for the support it provides but for the impact it has on people’s everyday lives.

Willowbank supports adults aged 18 to 64 with a wide range of neurological and physical conditions including motor neurone disease, cerebral palsy, stroke, brain injury, muscular dystrophy, spinal injuries, RTA’s and MS. Support is tailored to each individual through both day opportunities and day care services depending on their needs.

Through my role I see first-hand the benefits of what Willowbank offers; the social connection, the opportunity to engage in meaningful activities and the sense of routine and purpose it provides.

There’s a real emphasis on inclusion, enjoyment and being part of a community whether that’s through creative activities, music, outings or simply spending time with others in a supportive environment.

It also plays a hugely important role for families. Knowing that their loved one is somewhere safe, supported and genuinely cared for offers reassurance and acts as a vital form of respite particularly in situations where caring responsibilities are significant.

In life we don’t always know what lies ahead or whether we or someone we love might one day need a service like Willowbank. Having support like this within our community ready to meet people with dignity and understanding really matters.

Unfortunately for adults with more complex health and care needs social support options in the community are often very limited. That’s why services like Willowbank are so invaluable.

The individuals who attend Willowbank face challenges every day and for me running this marathon feels like a small way to challenge myself in support of a service that makes such a meaningful difference.

Willowbank is a charitable organisation that relies on funding and donations to continue its work and if you’re in a position to support any donation big or small I would be incredibly grateful.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this and for supporting a cause that really means a lot to me.

I’ll be sharing weekly training updates to stay accountable and posting the donation link along the way; thank you again for your support.