Locals put best feetforward for charity

Friends and family of a Multiple Sclerosis sufferer in Lisburn will be putting their best feet forward on Monday to raise funds for Action MS.
Peter Nightingale, Emma Creagh, Clive Stevenson, Conor Creagh, Louise Stevenson with team manager James Creagh.Peter Nightingale, Emma Creagh, Clive Stevenson, Conor Creagh, Louise Stevenson with team manager James Creagh.
Peter Nightingale, Emma Creagh, Clive Stevenson, Conor Creagh, Louise Stevenson with team manager James Creagh.

Emma Creagh, whose husband James, a transport manager, was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in August 2010, just four months after they married, will be taking part in the Belfast City Marathon Relay Race.

She will be joined by other ‘willing volunteers’ Peter Nightingale, Clive Stevenson, Conor Creagh and Louise Stevenson.

It will be a big achievement for Emma, of Ruskin Heights, who never believed she was fit enough to tackle a run.

Mother of two-year-old Thomas, Emma would much prefer to sit in front of the television than go out to train.

“I’m not a runner and I admit that,” she said. “If I complete my stretch, believe me, it will be a big deal for me.

“I enjoy watching television too much.

“I do train and like to run along the Lagan Towpath with my headphones on a few times a week but I am practically training from scratch.

“I know that the relay will be just a few miles for each of us but apparently ‘my’ stretch will be all uphill.

“Between all of us we have already raised £600. Our target is £1,000.

“I would like to think perhaps at some stage I would be fit enough for the Lisburn Half Marathon.”

Four years ago ,when Emma turned 30, she held a pub quiz at Lisburn Rugby Club that raised an £1,300 , for Action MS.

“I have always said that I would like to raise money for Action MS,” said Emma. “We are very lucky that James, at the moment, is not that bad with his MS. It is controlled with medication.

“We are very lucky that way that we have not had to use the Action MS services but I do know there are people out there that definitely do need them.”

MS is a physical disease which disrupts communication between the brain and nerves in the body.

Anyone who would like to donate can log onto https://www.justgiving.com/seemed-a-good-idea/4w350m3/donate

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