Journey Back to Health Inspires Group to Step Out for Charity

A group of men and women from across the district, united by life-changing health conditions, are taking part in Belfast City Marathon to raise money for a charity that is close to their hearts.

They plan to walk the 26-mile route in two relay teams to raise money for Northern Ireland Chest, Heart and Stroke and, while taking in the sights and sounds of the city, reflecting on their personal journeys through serious illness and the recovery which has forged closed friendships among them.

The youngest marathon participant is 63 with the eldest 78, with the group thankful for the support they have received on their recovery journey which has included prescribed exercise classes and weekly walks. The decision to take part in the marathon was driven by their desire to give something back by supporting the charity that has helped improve their fitness and wellbeing, while building their confidence to stay active.

The participants from across the district, who have experienced a range of serious health conditions, including major heart trauma, have been helped by local health professionals and qualified exercise staff in Newry, Mourne and Down District Council.

Leisure centres in Newry, Newcastle and Downpatrick offer a Physical Activity Referral Scheme (PARS) and Cardiac Rehabilitation classes. Delivered separately, both programmes operate under the umbrella of the Council’s Be Active for Heath initiative which is delivered in partnership with the Southern and South Eastern Health Trusts and Public Health Agency. 

The Council scheme aims to reduce health inequalities and support those living with chronic conditions or recovering from surgery to improve their physical and mental wellbeing, with all these participants receiving an assessment from exercise referral coordinator Paula Early.

In the past year, 457 people have participated in the PARS scheme, with 72 taking part in the Cardiac Rehabilitation course. Each Friday, members of both groups from Newry, Newcastle and Downpatrick meet for regular walks at some of the Council’s forests and parks.

Among those taking part in the marathon is Martin Bradley from Rostrevor, who admitted that two years before his cardio incident when he was 61, “was a heart attack waiting to happen” as he smoked, ate the wrong food at the wrong time, worked crazy hours and didn’t exercise.

“I now consider myself one of the lucky ones who got the necessary treatment and have been given a second chance and an opportunity to change the error of my ways. I was referred to the PARS course run in conjunction with Newry, Mourne and Down District Council,” he said.
Martin described PARS as central to his recovery, explaining it has become an integral part of his recovery process, providing him with the motivation, focus and determination that he would not be able to muster on his own accord, helping pave a tough journey with mutual support, friendship, laughs and fun.

“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 enjoys the Friday walk bringing PARS and cardiac rehabilitation participants from across the district together and while they all enjoy being out in the fresh air, he said the greatest health benefit was the friendship, shared goals and the mental wellbeing that a simple dander on a Friday morning gave them.

Cardiac rehabilitation class member Brian McCartan from Warrenpoint, who underwent aortic valve replacement surgery, was initially afraid of overdoing it following his heart surgery. But, after joining the PARS class at Newry Leisure Centre, he exercised under the expert supervision of the Council’s exercise referral team.

“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.

“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,” he added.

Kilkeel’s Pat McKay suffered a heart attack in early December 2023 and was rushed to the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast for surgery, underwent further intervention at Craigavon hospital and subsequently enrolled for a 12-week recovery programme at Newry Leisure Centre before joining the PARS class at Kilkeel Leisure Centre and taking part in the walks.

“Joining the walking group was a great opportunity to meet different people whose circumstances were similar to mine. 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,” said Pat.

“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.” 

Pat added: “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.”

Pat Douglas, from Downpatrick, was one of the first to join the PARS programme and while suffering knee and back pain due to arthritis, she made it through weeks of exercises.

“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 added.

Teconnaught’s Joe Kearney was referred to the cardiac class at the Down Leisure Centre after he had two stents fitted following a cardiac event and then joined the rehabilitation programme.

“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.

“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. I’m probably fitter now than I have been at any time in the past 10 to 15 years and my life-work-leisure balance has had a complete overhaul. I’m enjoying every minute of it to the point where I have the confidence to play my part in the walk relay at the Belfast Marathon.”

Noreen Withers from Saintfield suffered a heart attack in March 2021, despite always trying to keep fit and stay active. 

After surgery to fit two stents and time spent recovering, she didn’t know how active she could be again and while initially reluctant to attend rehab classes, Noreen admits they turned out to be one of the best decisions she has made. 

“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.”

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Councillor Philip Campbell said, “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.”

For more information on the PARS and Cardiac Rehab programmes visit https://www.newrymournedown.org/be-active-for-health, email PARS@nmandd.org or contact your GP or health care professional who will assess your suitability to join the programmes.

PARS classes will resume in Kilkeel Leisure Centre, when it reopens in the autumn following refurbishment.