Runners and walkers of all ages braved the rain at Ballymena Showgrounds on Saturday last week to participate in the ‘Link the Town’ fun run, a community event to mark the new homes and facilities at the St Patrick’s Regeneration Site in Ballymena.
The event took place at noon and featured a timed ‘Golden Mile’ race for 14 years and above, as well as a 2.5km walk and run.
Mayor of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, Alderman Geraldine Mulvenna was in attendance to open the races and lend her support to the community initiative.
“We’re thrilled that so many people took part, it was an absolutely brilliant day of activity, we think the turnout really shows just how strong the community spirit is in the area,” said Lisa Mooney, Community Manager from Radius Housing.
The fun walk and run and the Golden Mile were organised by Ballymena Runners and the accompanying children’s events of face-painting and bouncy castles were arranged by Ballykeel 2 & District Community Association, D3MAC and Carson Project groups with the support of Radius Housing, as part of the Department for Communities ‘Housing For All’ programme, Mid and East Antrim Borough Council and the NI Housing Executive.
Link the Town is supported by the Department for Communities and the Northern Ireland Housing Executive’s ‘Housing for All’ Shared Housing Programme. The Programme has its origins in the NI Executive Together: Building a United Community Strategy which reflects the Executive’s commitment to improving community relations and continuing the journey towards a more united and shared society.
Radius currently has 14 shared housing developments across Northern Ireland, and is currently developing a new £26m, 135 home project at the former St Patrick’s Barracks site in Ballymena.
All developments are supported by Good Relations Plans, including ‘Bridging’ events which are delivered to the wider community to encourage a range of good relations outcomes which include Health and Wellbeing, Education and Training.