Great day out at the 1st Ability Fun Run

The blue skies, music, clown antics and family atmosphere were the perfect ingredients for a great day out at the first Ability Fun Run.

There was an excellent mix of people of all ages who were set on having a good time. Bozo the clown helped everyone warm up with the help of the Eye of the Tiger just before they set off for the 10km run. Most people ran but those who walked enjoyed the morning stroll before the came into the finish line which was perfectly located right at the jealous wall.

Significant money was raised on the day which will go directly to support small business development for people with disabilities in West Africa. A portion of the proceeds will also go to support victims of the recent floods in Burkina Faso, which left 150,000 homeless only two weeks ago.

Arts and crafts from Tigoung Nonma, a disabled women’s cooperative in West Africa were handed out as prizes. “They are brilliant pieces of craftsmanship and certainly seemed to go down well. People felt they were in tune with the reason behind the event – to help people with disabilities in some of the world’s poorest countries” said Aidan Leavy, Director of International Service Ireland, who ran the event.

Katherine Kenny, one of the organisers of the event said “Everybody really enjoyed themselves right from the very beginning. The marshals, Garda and Civil Defense did an excellent job making sure that everything ran smoothly on the day”.

Lots of people said they would like to see this become an annual event so watch this space!

Special thanks goes to all the volunteers and marshals on the day who made the event a success and also those who supported the event right from the beginning – Mullingar Harriers, St. Lomans football club, Belvedere House & Gardens, Westmeath Volunteer Centre, Westmeath Sports Partnership, Day Bazaar, MindsI graphic design, Fagans Office Supplies and Apache Pizza.