Cystic Fibrosis Ireland is making a final appeal to the women of Donegal to get their running shoes on as the April 28 deadline looms to register for the VHI Women's Mini-Marathon.

This is your chance to join a merry troupe of 1,000 ladies taking part in the One in 1,000 campaign  ̶  see www.onein1000.ie.

The mini-marathon takes place over a 10K route in Dublin on Monday June 5, and is open to women of all fitness levels, from walkers and joggers to elite athletes.

The aim is to raise more than €120,000, with funds raised going towards a range of vital services to help improve quality of life for people with cystic fibrosis in Ireland. These include support for dedicated staff at cystic fibrosis units in hospitals, patient support grants and research.

Cystic fibrosis affects the lungs and digestive system leading to shortness of breath and persistent coughing, and potentially life-threatening lung infections. There are more than 1,200 men, women and children with cystic fibrosis in Ireland, with Ireland having the highest prevalence and some of the most severe types of the disease in the world.

Ann Skelly, TV3’s Red Rock actor, Evanne Ní Chuilinn, RTÉ Sports journalist, Róisín O’Donovan, TV3’s Red Rock actor at the launch of Cystic Fibrosis Ireland’s One in 1,000 campaign

All for One and 1,000 for All!

Lending her support to the campaign is RTÉ sports journalist Evanne Ní Chuilinn, for whom being part of the One in 1,000 appeal is about supporting people with cystic fibrosis to live their lives to the full:

“I find the days I have off work fairly hectic with two small children at home, so those are the evenings I get out for a jog to clear the head. Of course, with Cystic Fibrosis Ireland’s One in 1,000 campaign there is another very important reason to hit the ground running and that is to help raise much-needed funds for cystic fibrosis services.

“I would really encourage women to sign up for this fantastic event knowing that every step you take, you are helping people with cystic fibrosis to get more out of life through the supports offered by Cystic Fibrosis Ireland.”

All fitness levels welcome

TV3 Red Rock’s Ann Skelly says you don’t have to be a ‘gym fanatic’ to be part of the One in 1,000 team – the mini-marathon is open to everyone:

“It’s astonishing to think that we have more people in Ireland with cystic fibrosis than anywhere else in the world, as well as some of the most severe types of the disease.

“I have seen first-hand the devastating impact of cystic fibrosis and yet people with cystic fibrosis have to fight so hard for their rights. It’s so unfair. We really need to redouble our efforts to do everything that we can to combat this disease which can have such a devastating impact on so many lives.

“For me, the great thing about the mini-marathon is that you can walk, jog or, if you really insist, run all your way to the finish line. So, if even a non-gym fanatic like me can do it, then surely you can too!”

Positively Buzzing

For Fergal Smyth, Fundraising Manager with Cystic Fibrosis Ireland, this is the charity’s largest annual fundraising event and it leaves a very positive after-glow:

“Cystic Fibrosis Ireland depends on voluntary fundraising and public donations to fund 95 per cent of its services, so our One in 1,000 campaign is a vital part of ensuring that we can continue to provide services so desperately needed by people with cystic fibrosis and their families. For example, in areas such as bereavement support, counselling, transplant assessment, fertility treatment and exercise equipment, we provide a range of patient support grants so that people with cystic fibrosis and their families can access the supports that they need.

“Apart from the healthy glow of feeling fresh and invigorated, the great thing about being a part of One in 1,000 is the buzz of being a part of the cystic fibrosis family and the long-lasting after-glow of knowing that you helped to make a real difference. That’s something worth breaking out a sweat for.”

For more information on Cystic Fibrosis Ireland’s One in 1,000 campaign, emailfundraising@cfireland.ie, LoCall 1890 311 211 or see www.onein1000.ie before the closing date of April 28 2017. Once signed up, participants will receive a fundraising pack, including t-shirt, sponsorship card and race day information.