Castlederg woman urges local people to support marathon effort

A CASTLEDERG charity worker is urging local people put ‘put their best foot forward’ and support a good cause on Sunday, March 29

Ailish Boyd currently works Action for Children as a Young Persons Practitioner in the Sperrin and Lakeland Floating Support Service.

The service offers vital housing support and advice, as well as emotional support and signposting.

Action for Children has been selected as the charity partner for the popular Omagh Half Marathon next month.

Now in its 36th year, it’s already a sell-out for the 13.1 mile distance – with 5,000 runners limbering up to take part.

To help make the event a success, Action for Children is recruiting up to 50 volunteers to help on Sunday, March 29.

Roles are simple and straightforward – including handing out water to thirsty runners and manning ‘cheer stations’.

Ailish, who took up running herself less than four years ago, said she’s confident that the local community will ‘step up’ and come out in force to support the event,

“To be selected as the charity partner for such a popular local sports event is just fantastic,” she said.

“In the job I do, I see first-hand how extra funding raised through events like this makes a real difference to the vulnerable young people we support.”

“But”, she added, “To help us make us make the event the best it can be, we need local people to generously give up a few hours of their time on Sunday, 29th March. It promises to be a fun day out too!”

For more information and to register your interest to volunteer, visit https://bit.ly/VolunteerAtOHM.