Barry’s marathon effort for charity

An Antrim businessman has set himself the challenge of running over 55 miles from Portrush to Belfast in under 12 hours to raise funds for The Children’s Cancer Unit Charity.
Barry Mairs, Managing Director of Antrim-based, GBS Roofing prepares for a gruelling 55 mile run from Portrush East Strand to The Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children to raise money for the Children’s Cancer Unit Charity, based at the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children.Barry Mairs, Managing Director of Antrim-based, GBS Roofing prepares for a gruelling 55 mile run from Portrush East Strand to The Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children to raise money for the Children’s Cancer Unit Charity, based at the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children.
Barry Mairs, Managing Director of Antrim-based, GBS Roofing prepares for a gruelling 55 mile run from Portrush East Strand to The Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children to raise money for the Children’s Cancer Unit Charity, based at the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children.

Ballymena native, Barry Mairs, Managing Director of GBS Roofing, will run from Portrush East Strand to the doors of the children’s hospital based at The RVH in Belfast on Friday, September 4.

Barry’s 55 mile route, which is further than two marathons combined, will take him via Ballymoney, Dunloy, Cullybackey, Ballymena, Antrim, Parkgate, Templepatrick and Belfast before arriving at the hospital at around 4pm.

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Barry said: “GBS Roofing had adopted The Children’s Cancer Unit as its charity for 2020 but the pandemic meant some of our fundraising events had to be postponed.

“Our aim is to raise £4000 to provide the Children’s Cancer Unit with an interactive robot for the classroom. This robot allows children who are living with cancer to experience some normality by helping with their return to schooling, as well as supporting their mental and social wellbeing. After just a few months of lockdown, I’m sure we can all appreciate how important returning to normality is, especially for children with cancer who have to socially distance year after year. I know these are difficult times for many people so any donation you can give will be very much appreciated.”

Jacqueline Wilkinson from the Children’s Cancer Unit Charity, said: “We hope anyone who lives along the route will give him a cheer if they spot him on the 4th September. We send our best wishes to Barry ahead of the big day and look forward to welcoming him across the finish line at the hospital.”

Barry is no stranger to competitive sport and endurance events. In his youth he was Northern Ireland karate champion, representing NI in European competitions. After several years of playing rugby for Antrim, Ballymena and Holywood, and completing the Belfast and London marathons, he took up triathlons and is now a three-time Ironman having completed the gruelling global endurance events in Germany, Italy and Switzerland.

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Donations can be made via www.justgiving.com/fundraising/gbs-roofing-ltd2020

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