Lidl NI on the fast track for Cancer Focus

Lidl NorthernIrelandstaff in Portush are pulling out all the stops for Cancer Focus NorthernIreland, the official charity for this year’s Deep RiverRock Belfast City Marathon.

The staff are getting behind their four colleagues who are entering a relay team in the marathon – and are going the extra mile to raise funds for the leading local cancer charity.

Jeffery Speers, Matthew Jordan, Stuart Jackson and David Campbell are using a new Cancer Focus fitness app for the iPhone to help them get up to speed for their big challenge. The Focus Fit app can be downloaded for free from the App Store now.

The relay team is also holding a fundraising dinner dance at the Magherabuoy House Hotel on April 27. The night includes a three course meal, a quiz and dancing. Tickets cost £25 and for more information you can contact Stuart Jackson on 07540 699382.

Cancer Focus is appealing to everyone in the community to support them by entering a relay or joining in the fun run or walk on May 6, which will be a fantastic day out for all the family. Remember, the closing date for entries is April 5, or April 19 for late entries with a surcharge.

Caitriona McCarry, from Lidl NI, said, “We have been working with Cancer Focus for five years and see at first hand the amazing work they do. We are involved with theCancerFocusSchool’s Health Education Package (SHEP), which promotes the benefits of healthy eating and regular exercise to school children all overNorthern   Ireland.

“The marathon is such a positive event which helps people towards a healthier lifestyle. We are thrilled to support Cancer Focus by calling on our energetic staff to sign up for marathon events - and we know their colleagues will help all they can with raising funds.

“Lidl relay teams all overNorthern   Irelandhave been using the new Focus Fit iPhone app to help with their training - it allows you to track your distance, time and average pace, as a team and individually. The Focus Fit app gives you training advice and you’ll also see some delicious Lidl recipes.

“We’re encouraging as many people in the community as possible to sign up for the run, walk, relay or fun run and raise money for Cancer Focus, which does such wonderful work supporting local people with cancer and their families. And the money you raise all stays inNorthern   Ireland.”

Joyce Savage, Cancer Focus’s Head of Appeals and Marketing, said: “Our marathon theme this year is Run It For YerMan.It’s easy to forget that almost as many men are diagnosed each year with prostate cancer as women are with breast cancer. In fact, nearly 6,000 men get all kinds of cancer each year – and we are here to help them.

“That’s why we are turning the spotlight on our husbands, dads, brothers, sons and friends – and we urgently need your help to provide lifeline services for them.”

Among its many services, Cancer Focus (the new name for the Ulster Cancer Foundation) offers one-to-one and group support, family support, counselling, walking groups, a Sing for Life choir, creative writing, art therapy and life-coaching. More can be found on www.cancerfocusni.org. 

Joyce added: “Every donation you make, no matter how small, is crucial and will make a huge difference to local families acrossNorthern Ireland.”

You can support Cancer Focus by signing up at www.belfastcitymarathon.com. For more information please contact our Marathon Team at Cancer Focus by emailing [email protected] or call 028 9066 3281. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter @CancerFocusNI #focusfit