Over 40 prisoners have ‘gone on the run’ as part of a marathon effort to raise funds for the NHS.
The prisoners covered 211 miles during their five-day race around Magilligan Prison before collecting a reward for their efforts.
Every penny raised will go to buy scrubs for frontline workers.
Prison Governor Richard Taylor said: “This was all in aid of a good cause.
“The prisoners wanted to show their support for the NHS and it was agreed that a sponsored marathon within the confines of the prison would be the best way for them to do this.
“183 laps of the prison all-weather area equates to a full marathon.
“So we had 43 prisoners, one female health nurse and four Physical Education Instructors signed up to a relay-team effort where each completed 46 laps (6.5miles).
“To facilitate social distancing, the teams ran over a five day period - at the end they’d run the equivalent of 8 marathons and the fastest time for the 46 laps was 44mins!”
Governor Taylor added: “The sponsorship came from staff and prisoners who contributed from their individual personal credit (IPC) accounts, and all the money collected will go towards the purchase of material to produce scrubs for NHS staff.
“All those who took part also received a water bottle kindly donated by Podium4Sport.
“It really has been a marathon effort by those in our care at Magilligan Prison. Not only have they been able to support NHS during the Coronavirus pandemic, but their own mental health will have been boosted too.”
