#womenwithimpact - Jackie, Co. Louth

My name is Jackie Brennan & I have been taking part in the Vhi Women's Mini Marathon for over 25 years.

When my son was diagnosed with cerebral palsy, I joined the local branch who raise money to provide equipment, pay for private physiotherapy, occupational therapy and other treatments for the children. A group of family & friends decided we would walk the Vhi Women’s Mini Marathon & we haven't stopped.

We never expected to have such a great day & to raise money as well felt like such a bonus. Now it's an annual local women's day out. Our numbers range from 30-50 women. Our ages range from 18-65. I personally have walked it with my best friend since day 1.

When my own dad was diagnosed with cancer Ardee Hospice helped our family a lot. They provided transport to hospitals & nurses when he got very sick. My mother and sister Marie were diagnosed with cancer too & they were back on board again. They help so many people in our village so we decided to give them over half of our money raised every year. We try to raise between €3000 and €4000 every year.

When you get to the finishing line there's no achievement like it especially as a lot of us are over 50. My own sister Marie has walked it from year one & as she battled her cancer she came on the bus to support us & has managed to walk it again the last 2 years & is an inspiration to us all.

For all the women out there that have ever registered for the Vhi Women's Mini Marathon, give it a go. When you walk around reading all the t-shirts ahead of you & realise all the charities that are benefiting from such a great day out, it makes you feel so proud. My 3 sisters & 2 sister in laws do it with me. My friends 7 sisters do it with us too. In all our years doing the marathon we have raised between €40,000-€50,000. This is from a wee village of women having a great day out.