MND-affected families team up on east Antrim fundraiser

A Carrick family’s fundraising effort for the Motor Neurone Disease Association has received a welcome boost from Newtownabbey supporters.
By The Newsroom
Published 19th Sep 2015, 07:30 BST
Participants in the fun run fundraiser from Whitehead to Carrickfergus in support of the Motor Neurone Disease Association of NI. INCT 37-755-CON RUNParticipants in the fun run fundraiser from Whitehead to Carrickfergus in support of the Motor Neurone Disease Association of NI. INCT 37-755-CON RUN
Participants in the fun run fundraiser from Whitehead to Carrickfergus in support of the Motor Neurone Disease Association of NI. INCT 37-755-CON RUN

Over 50 people took part in a fun run from Whitehead to Carrickfergus organised in tribute to the late Clare Jardine, who passed away in January after a long battle with motor neurone disease.

Grateful to all those who backed the event which raised £5102.53, the Jardine family, who have strong connections to Carrick’s sporting community, were moved by the participation of Emily McWilliams and her friend Joanne Arkins from the neighbouring borough.

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“Emily lives in Fernagh , Newtownabbey and her father Walter suffers from motor neurone disease and her mother Hazel has become his full-time carer. Emily along with her family and friends raised over £1100 towards the fundraiser.

Stephen Thompson (centre front) chairman of the Northern Ireland branch of the Motor Neurone Disease Association, receives a cheque for £5,102.53 from Diane Rutherford (right) John Neill and Kim Ferris ( 2nd and 3rd right) and members from the Castle Boxing Club. The money was raised by a sponsored fun run from Whitehead to Carrickfergus. INCT 37-010-PSBStephen Thompson (centre front) chairman of the Northern Ireland branch of the Motor Neurone Disease Association, receives a cheque for £5,102.53 from Diane Rutherford (right) John Neill and Kim Ferris ( 2nd and 3rd right) and members from the Castle Boxing Club. The money was raised by a sponsored fun run from Whitehead to Carrickfergus. INCT 37-010-PSB
Stephen Thompson (centre front) chairman of the Northern Ireland branch of the Motor Neurone Disease Association, receives a cheque for £5,102.53 from Diane Rutherford (right) John Neill and Kim Ferris ( 2nd and 3rd right) and members from the Castle Boxing Club. The money was raised by a sponsored fun run from Whitehead to Carrickfergus. INCT 37-010-PSB

“We would like to let Emily and her family know that they are in our thoughts at all times as they deal with the devastation of this terrible disease,” the Jardine family said in a statement.

Clare’s husband Issac and daughters Diane and Valerie linked up with Castle Boxing Club on the fundraiser at the end of last month.

They added: “Special thanks to John Neill and Kim Ferris and all the members of Castle Boxing Club for agreeing to team up with the family for the fundraiser.

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“The boxing club members trained hard three nights a week and on the day the young boys and girls were a credit to the club. Everyone ran or walked from Whitehead and then the boxing club provided a barbecue for all who took part. There was a fantastic turn out and everyone enjoyed the day.

“A very special thank-you to the Belfast Bus Company who provided a bus free of charge to take everyone to Whitehead.”

The cheque was presented to the charity, which funds research and provides support for people affected by motor neurone disease, at Castle Boxing Club’s Nelson Street premises on Monday evening.

Related topics:CarrickAntrimNewtownabbeyCarrickfergus