Marathon Effort to Support NSPCC's Childline

2016 is a big year!! For 30 years, Childline has been a place for children to turn - even when it feels like no-one else is listening. They have helped over 4 million children since they launched in 1989.

Find out more at: www.nspcc.org.uk/services-and-resources/childline/

Kieran Taggart & Teresa Smyth have decided to take the extra step...in fact over 33,000 steps...in aid of Childline to help raise £6000 to support its services. On 24th April, both Kieran & Teresa will be taking on the mighty LONDON MARATHON!!

NSPCC is SPAR's dedicated charity partner. Kieran Taggart & Teresa Smyth of McBride's SPAR, Strabane will be holding various fundraisers over the next couple of months so please support them in any way you can!

Why Kieran is taking on the Challenge!

I originally said I would do  a marathon before I was 21, then this changed to 25, the 30 and now 40. As I turn 39 three days after the marathon, I thought this would be one of the last opportunities to do so.

My training started last September, however it is only from December the intensity has really increased. Training now takes place 3-4 nights a week as well as a longer run on a Sunday to build up distances & time. The most daunting aspect of this challenge is to keep my motivation up for the entire time of the run, 4-5-6 hours is a long time! My only am is to get over the finish line before the organisers start to pack up on Sunday night.

Thanks to my wife, Rachele, who continues to be a massive support and to my sporting friends. those who have completed marathons previously have provided valuable advice and help with training plans etc.

Why Teresa is taking on the Challenge!

For the past number of years I have enjoyed running and have participated in a few half marathons which I enjoyed but I decided last year I would attempt the full marathon distance in 2016. I have been running for the past year at least twice a week but this will now increase to 3-4 times per week. Wednesday & Thursday evenings I will be running with a group of people which will focus on building miles, speed or hills. Sunday will be the day I will complete long distances at a steady pace to build up my endurance and strength for marathon day. I also hope to complete the SPAR Omagh half marathon on the 27th March in order to see how I feel after the 13 mile point. I hope to complete the full distance whilst enjoying the experience as it will probably be a once in a lifetime experience.  

Thank you to my family & friends who continue to be a good support, especially my husband Kevin who is also a keen runner and completed the Dublin marathon a few years ago!

Why we have chosen to run for NSPCC's Childline Service...

We will be supporting the Northern Ireland branch of the NSPCC as it is such a worthwhile charity. The money raised will be used to train & recruit more counsellors, invest in better technology that will support counsellors in providing consistent support and an email only system will be introduced so that volunteers can respond more quickly to children that contact the charity online.  

How will Kieran & Teresa fundraise?

ON OUR JUST GIVING PAGE!!! Give all you can!!!

We hope our friends & family will donate and we are holding various fundraising events including:

Jersey Sponsorship

Bag Packing

Pub Quiz

Bucket Collections & Coffee Mornings.

Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity. So it’s the most efficient way to donate – saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

Marathon Effort to Support NSPCC’s Childline