What county you are representing?

Myself (Kathleen) and daughter (Leanne) are representing County Down. Even though we are both from County Armagh we are representing this County for our local Hospice (Southern Area Hospice Services) which is situated in Newry, Co. Down.

Tell us a little about yourself.

I’m married to my hubby 31 years past in April and we have 5 amazing children and 12 loving grandchildren - we have a very busy house! My eldest daughter Leanne will be 14 years married on the 12th July. She has 4 children – 2 girls and 2 boys.

How many times have you taken part in the Vhi Women’s Mini Marathon?

I have taken part in it the Vhi Women’s Mini Marathoni for the past 14 years. Last year would have been my 15th year taking part in a row, but unfortunately due to covid-19 we could not take part in the marathon.

This year which would have been my 16th race, Leanne and I created a JustGiving page to raise funds for Southern Area Hospice Services and we completed a hike instead as we weren’t sure if the race was going to take place or not. This year would have been Leanne’s 8th year of completing the race. Leanne actually lived in Dublin the very first year I had done the race and she said that she couldn’t believe the atmosphere on the day! She always said as soon as she had her children she would join me. Her youngest is now 9 years old so she kept her promise and has been doing it ever since with me!

What inspires you to take part?

It’s definitely the atmosphere on the day of the race for us. The first year Leanne completed it with me I remember her saying to me, “now I know why you do this mummy!” after seeing everyone on the day. All the women in the one place and the fact that you are doing good at the end of it just makes it feel so worthwhile. As well as this, raising money for the Hospice has always been my aim. The first day Leanne completed it with me, and we arrived back at the Hospice after the race, it really hit home why we take part. To help give people with life limiting illnesses “dignity in caring”.

Our campaign theme this year is Power of Me, celebrating the power of one person to make a difference, either in their own lives or to the lives of others. Let us know how you encapsulate this theme.

This is the main reason that Leanne and I do the race each year: to help others. At the end of the day, you know you’re helping more than one person when you’ve taken part in the mini marathon by raising much needed funds for Southern Area Hospice Services – and I think that is a powerful feeling!

Do you have any special tips to share with everyone ?

Get up and go and do it!! Even if you have to walk it you’ll get hooked and take part again and again. You’ll be so inspired – I know we are when we are seeing the women in their 70s or older taking part each year. I was only supposed to do it for one year as a one off thing with friends and here I am 16 years later still doing it for my local Hospice and enjoying every minute of it!

What is the best piece of training advice you have been given?

I would walk 5k every day anyway – it’s not even the gym or anything. It’s just getting out to do a brisk walk to get your legs used to it. You don’t have to run it you can walk it, so it’s just getting the stamina. There’s no excuse!

Where can people find out about your charity?

The charity’s website is: https://www.southernareahospiceservices.org/ and this is the link we used to fundraise this year is here