Group to walk Belfast Marathon for NI Chest, Heart and Stroke

A group of men and women from across the council district, who are living with or recovering from serious health conditions, are to walk the Belfast City Marathon in aid of Northern Ireland Chest, Heart and Stroke. The group aged from 63 to 78, will take on the 26-mile route as two relay teams.

The participants have been supported through council-run health programmes based at leisure centres in Newry, Newcastle and Downpatrick. These include a Physical Activity Referral Scheme (PARS) and Cardiac Rehabilitation classes, both delivered under the council's Be Active for Health initiative, which operates in partnership with the Southern and South Eastern Health Trusts and the Public Health Agency.

The scheme is aimed at reducing health inequalities and supporting those living with chronic conditions or recovering from surgery to improve their physical and mental wellbeing. In the past year, 457 people have participated in the PARS scheme, with a further 72 taking part in the Cardiac Rehabilitation course. Each Friday, members of both groups from Newry, Newcastle and Downpatrick take part in walks at council forests and parks throughout County Down.

Pat McKay from Kilkeel suffered a heart attack in early December 2023 and was taken to the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast for surgery before undergoing further intervention at Craigavon Hospital. He subsequently completed a 12-week recovery programme at Newry Leisure Centre and went on to join the PARS class at Kilkeel Leisure Centre.

"Joining the walking group was a great opportunity to meet different people whose circumstances were similar to mine," said Pat. "The group walks in different Council parks throughout County Down every Friday and not only do we gain a healthier physical ability, but our mental wellbeing benefited too."

He described how the group came to the decision to enter the marathon: "We started out as total strangers but as the weeks progressed, we became good friends and a group of us got together and decided to give something back, agreeing to enter a team of ten into the marathon." He added that the progress he has made has been significant: "From joining the PARS programme I went from being able to walk a few yards, being very tired and short of breath, to walking four miles and over daily, feeling great and being able to live a far healthier lifestyle than ever before."

Martin Bradley from Rostrevor, who also took part in the PARS programme through Newry, Mourne and Down District Council, admitted that two years before his cardiac incident, at the age of 61, he "was a heart attack waiting to happen." He has been positive about what the programme provided. "From day one, PARS just clicked. With Paula as our coordinator, we could not have had a more dedicated instructor. I found a group of kindred spirits who were experiencing the same hopes and fears as I was," he said.

Martin said the greatest benefit of the Friday walks was not simply the physical activity, but the friendship, shared goals and mental wellbeing that came from what he called a simple dander on a Friday morning.

Brian McCartan from Warrenpoint underwent aortic valve replacement surgery and was initially cautious about exerting himself afterwards. After joining the PARS class at Newry Leisure Centre and exercising under the supervision of the council's exercise referral team, his confidence grew. "I found the class very sociable and loved the discipline of going every Wednesday. When the Friday walking group started, it was an added bonus meeting different people, discovering new places and fresh air," he said. He added: "The two sessions each week helped me physically and mentally and I hope I've made lifelong friends. I'm delighted to be taking part in the marathon with my friends and feel I can give something back to the charity for all the help it has given me, hopefully enabling other people who find themselves in the same position to get the help they need."

Pat Douglas from Downpatrick was among the first to join the PARS programme, continuing despite suffering from knee and back pain caused by arthritis. "I began to enjoy the Friday walks, meeting new people and making friends. I have maintained an exercise regime and PARS Friday walks have led me to be in the Belfast Marathon relay team," she said.

Joe Kearney from Teconnaught was referred to the cardiac class at Downe Leisure Centre following a cardiac event in which he had two stents fitted. "Downe Hospital staff who deliver the cardiac class encouraged me to grab the second chance I had been afforded with both hands, and I embraced the ethos of the PARS programme where we all work out and I reached the point where I started to enjoy it," he said. He described how much his fitness has changed: "I'm now at the stage were walking on my own or as part of a group is almost an obsession and there hasn't been a day this year when I haven't recorded 10,000 steps."

Noreen Withers from Saintfield suffered a heart attack in March 2021 despite having always tried to keep fit. Following surgery to fit two stents, she was uncertain how active she would be able to be again and was initially reluctant to attend rehabilitation classes. "The classes and walking groups helped rebuild my strength and confidence and walking with others makes the walks more enjoyable. I've also made new friends and found sharing experiences really helpful," she said. "Rehab has made a huge difference to both my physical and mental recovery. I now feel more confident and able to enjoy life again and I'm proud to be taking part in a walking relay marathon to raise money for Northern Ireland Chest, Heart and Stroke."

Councillor Philip Campbell, Chairperson of Newry, Mourne and Down District Council, paid tribute to those taking part. "The marathon participants are a shining example of community-spirited individuals who want to recognise the help and support they received at a time of need by giving something back. We wish them every success as they take on the challenge of the Belfast Marathon to raise vital funds for NI Chest, Heart and Stroke so the charity can help other people recover from life-threatening illness," said Cllr Campbell.

Further information on the PARS and Cardiac Rehabilitation programmes is available at newrymournedown.org, by emailing PARS@nmandd.org, or by contacting a GP or health care professional. It is also worth noting that PARS classes at Kilkeel Leisure Centre will resume when the centre reopens in the autumn following refurbishment.