Castlewellan firm runs Belfast City Marathon for charity close to its heart
Like many people during lockdown, Condensation Solutions Managing Director, Hugh McCulloch, found a new hobby in running. Hugh said: “I took up running over lockdown and thoroughly enjoyed it. Not only did I recognise the immense benefit to my physical health but also to my mental health and wellbeing.”
Having been bitten by the running bug, Hugh took his new hobby to another level by taking part in the 2021 Belfast City Marathon as a member of a relay team, raising funds for local health charity, Northern Ireland Chest Heart & Stroke (NICHS), along the way.
“When the opportunity to complete the Belfast City Marathon arose, I wanted to raise awareness for a charity that is close to my and my workforce’s hearts. Looking after my physical health has helped me recognise the immense benefits this can have in later years in reducing the risk of stroke or heart disease. That’s why I wanted to run for NICHS.
“The Condensation Solutions team effort saw them raise over £1800 for NICHS to support NI Chest Heart & Stroke’s work. We are delighted to have contributed this amount to their cause, which will go to help individuals affected by chest, heart and stroke related illnesses.”
Hugh wasn’t the only Condensation Solutions staff member keen to support NI Chest Heart & Stroke. The charity is close to the heart of Installations Coordinator Siobhan Ball, as her father, Hugh Smith, passed away suddenly from a heart attack three years ago.
Siobhan said: “Daddy had been complaining of a sore shoulder and throat but said he was fine and just needed to lie down. Members of my family went out to let him rest and when they returned only a few hours later, Daddy had sadly passed away. After his passing we found out there is a defibrillator in Castlewellan, and I always wonder, if one of us had been there and been able to reach it in time if things would have turned out differently.”
Condensation Solutions entered their relay team into the 2021 Belfast City Marathon. The team was made up of Hugh, his business partner Paddy Gallagher, Siobhan Ball, Brigid Byrne and Irene McEvoy.
Siobhan added: “I decided to run my leg of the relay in memory of Daddy. As Marathon Sunday coincided with my birthday I also set up my own birthday fundraiser for friends and family to donate to.
“I would like to thank everyone who kindly donated to this wonderful charity. It was an amazing experience for us to run the marathon together as workmates. The support on the day was fabulous and kept us going. It was a real morale booster and I’d definitely do it again.”
Jackie Trainor, Director of Income Generation at NI Chest Heart & Stroke said: “We are very thankful to receive this money from Condensation Solutions. Almost 90% of NICHS’s care, prevention and research services are funded exclusively by public donations.
“Fundraising efforts like Condensation Solutions’ are vital in enabling us to continue to support the local community and provide life-changing services for people living with chest, heart and stroke conditions and their families.
“Registration for the 2022 Belfast City Marathon is now open, and we would encourage businesses to start thinking about their 2022 fundraising plans for the marathon on Sunday 1st May 2022 which is not that far away!
“Condensation Solutions is a great example of how taking on a charity fundraising challenge can bring a business and its employees many benefits. The opportunity to become closer as a team, boost morale and health and wellbeing benefits are just a few. A massive thank you and well done to Condensation Solutions and we look forward to working with other organisations in 2022.”
To find out more about the many ways your organisation can help raise funds for Northern Ireland Chest Heart & Stroke, visit:
https://nichs.org.uk/how-you-can-help/fundraise-at-work
