Fun Run Of the Glens is back and supporting local cancer patients
Calling all cyclists, runners and walkers across Northern Ireland! The annual Fun Run of the Glens (FROG) charity event is back and taking place on Saturday 4th June!
Now in its 15th year, this successful sportive has gone from strength to strength and organisers hope to attract a record number of participants to raise as much as possible for local charity Cancer Focus Northern Ireland.
With circuits through the scenic Glens of Antrim, the event is designed for different levels of ability so everyone can take part. Cyclists can choose either a 25 mile, 50 mile or 65 mile route and participants can choose to walk or run 10KM or 10 miles. For those who prefer indoor cycling you can complete an hourly slot on a spin bike at the Static FROG in Con Magees GAC.
Many participants sign up to take part in memory of lost loved ones, just like Phil Brown (47) from Bangor who lost his mum June Walker to cancer in November 2012. Phil is cycling the 65mile route in the FROG event this year to remember a great woman and much-loved mum.
Telling June’s story, Phil said:
“Mum was the centre of our family. She has her five children living their lives in all corners of the UK including Lisburn, Bangor, Edinburgh, London and Wales. She was the one who kept us connected and was responsible for passing the news to all the other family members. She was very much loved and was a splendid mum. No day goes by without us thinking about her, and every day she continues to be a great loss in our lives”.
Phil explained when it all started:
“Mum was diagnosed with breast cancer and lymphoma in February 2011 at the age of 60. Following a mastectomy and surgery for removal of her lymph nodes, she was in remission from January 2012. Mum relapsed in October that year and passed away just a few weeks after that.
“When the cancer returned, it had affected most of her internal organs and was deemed terminal. We had six weeks with her, spent mostly in the Belfast City Hospital cancer ward until she returned home for end-of-life care.”
Phil shared with us why he chose to fundraise for Cancer Focus NI:
“Cancer Focus NI is a charity I have supported in the past through the FROG event in both 2018 and 2019, cycling 65miles to raise funds to help them with their amazing work. I choose this charity because all the money raised would remain in Northern Ireland, helping local people affected by cancer. With the lack of fundraising due to COVID-19 in the last two years, I’m sure they now need all the help they can get. I was very happy to see the return of the event this year again.
“As a mountain biker, I really don’t do long road cycles, but with six weeks to go, the road bike has the tires pumped up! The Antrim coastline route that the FROG covers, can be the most beautiful part of the world. Fingers crossed the weather is kind! I hope to encourage some of my work colleagues to join me this year and so far, the fundraising is going well but I’ll continue to push for donations, as every penny counts.
“I’m looking forward to the BBQ when it’s done, and of course the satisfaction of achieving the challenge and raising some money for a worthy charity in the process.”
Fun Run Of the Glens (FROG) will take place on Saturday 4th of June in Con Magee’s GAC, Glenravel. If you would like to participate to raise money for Cancer Focus NI to support people living with cancer in Northern Ireland, please visit: cancerfocusni.org/frog
