Five Armagh brothers, and their sister, are taking part in the Great North Run on Sunday to raise funds for CRY (Cardiac Risk in the Young).
Sam, Davy, Mark, Johnny, and Matthew Nicholson, and sister Ruth, will undertake the run which is just over 13 miles.
Last year they successfully completed the Adidas Silverstone Half Marathon to raise £8,000 for the local charity and the siblings are hoping to better that this time around.
The money raised from last year’s fundraising effort helped buy the equipment for the charity which screens young people for heart defects.
And with several high-profile deaths of young people in the last month, the Nicholson’s are hoping that people will be generous in their sponsorship.
“We chose the charity last year because my brother Matthew and sister were very good friends with John McCall,” explained Sam Nicholson.
“John had led the Royal School to Schools’ Cup success on St Patrick’s Day in 2004, but 11 days later whilst playing in the World Cup for Ireland Under 19s against New Zealand, he suffered heart failure and died.
“Matthew knew John very well through rugby and Ruth was in the same class as him at school, so raising funds for the charity means a lot to them especially.
“We were delighted that the money raised last year went towards the purchase of testing equipment at Jordanstown University but following the recent deaths of young people throughout Ireland , it just brings everything all back.”
Only this month two young GAA players died suddenly in County Tyrone and in Spain, international footballer Antonio Puerta died three days after collapsing on the field during a Primera Liga match.
“We’re hoping that a lot of local GAA clubs and the rugby club in Armagh will get behind us in our fundraising venture,” continued Sam.
“We will be putting sponsorship forms in local clubs and leisure centres and hopefully the response will be good. We would really like to raise more than the £8,000 from last year.”
The effort of the Nicholson’s have been welcomed by John McCall’s father, Ian.
“It is very commendable what Matthew and his family are doing,” said Mr McCall.
“They are doing this all off their own back and it is the second year they have ran for CRY. Our whole family really appreciates what they are doing.”
Sibling rivalry will obviously be at stake in the Great North Run. Matthew was streets ahead of the rest of his family last year but training has been more disciplined in the build-up to this year’s event!
Sam, Matthew and Mark also plan to run in the Dublin Marathon on October 29.
Every week eight apparently fit and healthy young people die in the UK from undiagnosed heart conditions. CRY works to raise awareness of Sudden Death Syndrome (SDS) and campaigns for proactive screening of young people. It offers help and support to those who have suffered a loss, provides medical information, carries out Mobile Cardiac Screening and ECG Testing Programmes within local communities and contributes to medical research.
Any money the Nicholson brothers raise will go to local screening sessions.
For more information about the charity run or to sponsor the Nicholson brothers http://www.justgiving.com/cry2007
