Pictured are Kate McKay, Secretary and Jimmy McClean, Chair, of the Ballymena and District Branch of Parkinson's UK, receiving a cheque from Shane Kerr for £2000. Also pictured are Ann Hill, Treasurer of the Branch and Shane's grandmother, Mrs Margaret Kerr.
Local man Shane Kerr has raised £2000 for the Ballymena and District Branch of Parkinson's UK, by completing the Bluestack Way Ultra Marathon, a really gruelling challenge running through the Bluestack Mountains in Donegal.
Shane decided to donate to the Branch as they helped his grandfather, who had Parkinson’s, as well as his family.
Shane explained:
“When deciding to do this challenge I thought to myself, people and families who are affected by this disease have to suffer every day, the least I can do is suffer for a few hours whilst running this ultra marathon and raise some money while doing it.
“Seeing how immobile this disease can make people, I want to make the most of my life and do these kinds of things while I'm still lucky enough to be healthy and able to do so.”
Jimmy McClean, Chair of the Ballymena and District Branch of Parkinson's UK, said:
"We are so grateful to Shane for his amazing donation, which will help people living with Parkinson's in the local area. We are a volunteer-led support group and fundraising like Shane's helps us to deliver exercise classes and monthly support sessions, which the participants find really beneficial."
Ballymena Branch support group meetings are held on the third Friday of the month at the Ballymena North Business Centre, 120 Cushendall Road, Ballymena from 3-4.30pm.
The Branch welcomes anyone affected by Parkinson’s - for more details contact Jimmy McClean at jimmy.mcclean@outlook.com or phone 028 2564 8398 / 07826 336698.