Irish Olympic hopefuls are taking part in a Q&A about their ‘Road to Tokyo’.
And as well as outlining the arduous journey to the top of their respective disciplines, the event will also raise cash for the Children’s Cancer Unit Charity.
The quartet of top athletes going online on Thursday evening are led by middle distance Portaferry athlete Ciara Mageean.
The ‘Road to Tokyo’ event takes place on Thursday at 7pm, and will be hosted by U105 presenter Denise Watson. Anyone with an interest in sport and especially athletics can sign up and make a voluntary donation to the charity.
Ciara Mageean has long been a supporter of the Children’s Cancer Unit Charity and two years ago she launched the inaugural ‘CCUC Stormont Mile’ race. The impact of Covid means that event has not taken place since 2019 and instead runners and supporters of the Charity are encouraged to run a mile sometime in the month of June, and make a donation to the CCUC.
Thursday’s event offers a unique opportunity to hear from Ciara along with Newtownards gymnast Rhys McClenaghan, Irish Paralympic swimmer Ellen Keane and Phil Healey from the Irish mixed sprint relay team which has also qualified for the Tokyo games.
Ciara said: “I was delighted to help launch the CCUC Stormont Mile two years ago, so it’s such a shame that we haven’t been able to host it since. But I know there are plenty of supporters who took part in the June ‘Miles for Smiles’ campaign last year and we are hoping for even more runners this month.
“As we get ready to give our best at the Olympic Games we are very aware that children and their families are undergoing real hardship and they rely on the invaluable work of the dedicated staff at the Children’s Cancer Unit in Belfast. If I can help lift the profile of the charity and raise much needed funds then I am very happy to get involved, just as Rhys, Ellen and Phil are as well.
“My preparations are going really well ahead of the Tokyo games and I am focussed on being fully fit and ready for the start line in August. Thursday’s event gives us a chance to talk to the public and maybe even let people have a little peek behind the scenes of Olympic preparation. I hope loads of people log on and support this wonderful charity.”
CCUC Chairman, Felix Mooney praised all four athletes who are giving up their time for the Charity.
He added: “Ciara has been a real friend to the charity in recent years and we all follow her races very closely. I think she will have a great Olympic Games and we are genuinely honoured that Ellen Keane, Phil Healy and Rhys McClenaghan are joining the conversation as well. What a line up!
“This past two years have been very difficult for charities across the board. While our usual fundraising events have been cancelled, the need for our services is as great as ever so events such as these are really welcome. On behalf of the families who use the Children’s Cancer Unit at the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children I want to thank the athletes and I hope to see lots of people registering for the event.”
Registration is via this link: register.enthuse.com/ps/event/CCUCpresentsTheRoadtoTokyo.
