Isobel Filor takes on the Bogle challenge this weekend!

Isobel Filor, 20, granddaughter of late Shelter Northern Ireland founder Barney Filor, is attempting a mammoth walk in his memory.  On Friday 28th February she will join 300 University of Manchester students on the annual ‘Bogle’ walk, covering 55 miles around Greater Manchester, which will take nearly 24 hours to complete.

Donate here: https://mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/isobelfilor

Her grandfather Lt Col Barney Filor MBE, ERD (1915-2006) helped to create Shelter NI in 1980 and was a leading light in the organisation for over 25 years. Barney served as an officer with Shelter NI including being its Chairman. In his latter years, though he was less mobile, meetings were held at his house. Barney ended his commitment to Shelter as its honorary President.  During his lifetime he was awarded an MBE. 

His life has inspired Isobel to take part in the Bogle walk and raise money for Shelter Northern Ireland; “As a final year student at the university I’ve always wanted to take part in the walk. I love hillwalking and whilst 55 miles around Greater Manchester might not be anyone’s let alone my idea of fun I’ve decided to give it a go and to raise as much money as possible for Shelter Northern Ireland.

The walk is a long tradition at the university and originated in 1961 when a group of university lecturers missed the last train back to Manchester from Lancaster and decided to walk the 55 miles home! A few of the lecturers began to hallucinate, seeing a Bogle (a creature of British folklore) that represents the mental challenge the walk involves. It’s not only a test of physical endurance but a psychological one too. Today, the route goes around Greater Manchester and starting at 7pm, the walkers who finish normally do so at about 5pm the next day.

The prospect of undertaking such a challenge is terrifying, but the money I am raising will help Shelter Northern Ireland continue to provide their invaluable support to homeless people and in securing and campaigning for good quality accommodation that is affordable for everyone. The charity is one that is very close to my heart, my late Grandfather Barney Filor was amongst those who helped set up the charity in 1980 and his commitment and support of the charity and community housing throughout the later part of his life is something that I’m really proud of. I’m hoping to raise as much money as I can in continuing the Filor support of such a wonderful charity. Any donations would be much appreciated both in helping to support such a worthwhile charity and in motivating me throughout this challenge.”

Claire Douglas, Fundraising and Campaign Officer, Tel: 028 9024 7752 or Email: claire.douglas@shelterni.org

Notes to Editors

Homelessness statistics

1.      4,832 households presented as homeless to the Northern Ireland Housing Executive during July to September 2013. Statistics taken from DSD website http://www.dsdni.gov.uk/

2.      Main reason for households becoming accepted as full duty homeless is accommodation not being reasonable, this is followed by sharing breakdown/ family dispute.

About Shelter NI

3. Shelter Northern Ireland was founded in 1980 and is a charity whose aim is to organise to secure rights to housing for all households in Northern Ireland.

We do this by:

1. Campaigning for the right of households to access decent good quality affordable housing with secure tenure in Northern Ireland
2. Educating, advising and informing individuals, groups and the general public about housing issues
3. Analysing existing housing and related problems and seeking innovative approaches and solutions
4. Working in collaboration with others for those disadvantaged in their housing rights by any government policy or practice in particular rough sleepers and migrant workers
5. Enabling long-term solutions for people who are homeless
6. For older and disabled people we offer a home repair service in the north west area
7. In Omagh we offer a supported housing service for young people under the name of SL-eight