Co Down athlete Ciara Mageean is urging people to race and walk in support of a children's cancer charity.
The 'Stormont Mile' is a one mile race and walk organised by Children’s Cancer Unit Charity (CCUC), which will begin at Parliament Buildings and make its way down the iconic avenue on September 30.
It will mark the end of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and aims to raise vital funds to support children and families living with childhood cancer across the north.
Mageean, an Irish record holder at one mile, 800m and 1,500m, will be among the runners on the day.
As an ambassador for the Children’s Cancer Unit, she is encouraging the running community and public to support the event.
Read more:
- Childhood Cancer Awareness Month: What are the warning signs that your child might have cancer?
- Charity calls for more spending on childhood cancer research
- "People will fear the wee tricolour up on the start line": Brilliant Ciara Mageean misses out agonisingly on World Championships medal after record-breaking run
"Walking or running just one mile is a simple task for us, and it’s absolutely nothing compared to the challenges faced by children living with this devastating disease every day," she said.
"I hope the weather stays nice and clear for us and we get a great turnout on September 30, so we can stomp on Stormont to raise awareness of childhood cancer and raise as many funds as we possibly can.”
The Children’s Cancer Unit Charity supports the work of the Children’s Haematology and Oncology Unit at the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children.
Jane Hoare from the charity said: "Between 60 - 70 children are diagnosed with cancer in Northern Ireland every year.
"Every one of these children will be treated at the Children’s Cancer Unit in Belfast, as it is the only place where they can receive specialist treatment for cancer.
“Funds raised through the CCUC Stormont Mile will go directly towards supporting these families, as well as the incredible teams that care for them.”
