STAFF from Derry’s Firstsource Solutions contact centre have been working extra hard over the summer months, as they prepare to undertake their latest charity challenge – the Waterside Half Marathon.
The running team that consists of eleven individual runners and four relay teams have joined forces to compete in the half marathon on Sunday 3rd September, to raise funds for Firstsource’s nominated charity, ‘Supershoes’.
Grainne O’Kane, General Manager Human Resources at Firstsource Solutions, said the company is fully supportive and has encouraged staff to take up the challenge, saying: “Staff will be running the Waterside Half Marathon (WHM) this year to support our chosen charity, Supershoes”.
Each year thousands of individuals and teams take part in the WHM to support local, national and international charities. Firstsource’s chosen charity, Supershoes was founded by husband and wife Ken and Sarah White.
The charity designs shoes specifically for a child or young person fighting cancer.
The shoes are hand painted by a ‘Super Artist’ and features designs that include the child’s favourite games, sports, music, animals or character.
Grainne added: “The charity helps empower children fighting cancer, and staff were keen to get behind a challenge with such a worthy cause.
“Firstsource is delighted that staff have taken up the challenge, as we encourage our employees to be mindful of their wellbeing and try to get active as much as possible.
“As part of this, we will be paying the entry fees and costs of vests for those employees taking part. Staff at the Derry site have also held a number of fundraising efforts for the half marathon team to raise as much money as possible for ‘Supershoes’.
“Training is going well and the team are in great spirits. Staff are out running most days to get prepared, and the team work approach seems to be working well, as it encourages everyone to keep going.
“Some of the runners are not experienced in regular exercise so we’re all very proud of them, as this is a great achievement and for such a worthy cause.
“We’re all looking forward to the event and will be cheering the team over the finish line on the day.”
The Waterside Half Marathon begins at Ebrington Square on Sunday 3rd September at 10.00am.
The race route crosses the River Foyle onto the city side, taking in parks, greenways and bridges along the way, before it finishes at St Columb’s Park.
Registrations for the Waterside Half Marathon are now closed, but entries for the 2k Family Fun Run are available online and will remain open until Thursday 31st August 2017.
For full details on how to register for the Waterside Half Marathon 2017, visit www.derrystrabane.com/halfmarathon.
Entries for the 2k Family Fun Run are also available online and will remain open until Thursday 31st August 2017.
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