Adam’s marathon challenge

Adam (30), from Thompson Manor, has set himself the gruelling challenge of competing in his first ever marathon, in May in aid of the Children’s Heartbeat Trust charity.

Adam, who ran two half marathons in Larne and Cookstown before is looking forward to taking part in his very first full marathon.

Adam who works with Conn and Fenton Solicitors, based in Bow Street decided to run a marathon after he heard of his friend’s newborn baby suffering from a heart condition.

“I had always wanted to do a marathon before and so when I heard that my colleague Sinead Lunny, a solicitor with Christine Reids in Lisburn, had a baby (Niall) now four months and who suffers from a heart condition, I thought there was no better time like the present,” he said.

Niall, suffers from Total Anomalous Pulmonary Venous Drainage TAPVD and was only a few weeks old when he had to undergo a heart operation at the Great Ormond Street Hospital.

“I contacted Sinead and asked if there is was anything I could do to help her.

“She told me that the Children’s Heartbeat charity had given her and her family a lot of support,” said Adam.

“What Sinead had gone through inspired me to try to raise some money for the charity which makes a difference in our local community.

“I have set a target of raising £2000.00 and have set up a website for donations at http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/AdamWood86 and would be grateful for any donations, no matter how big or small.”

Adam, set out marathon training as one of his New Year resolutions earlier this year.

“Once you get started the training is alright and in fact it is quite therapeutic,” he added.

“I have said that this marathon is my first but it could very well be my last. I am just taking it one step at a time.

“I really like getting out but the actual thought of going on a run is worse than the run itself.

“The Children’s Heartbeat Trust supports children and young people diagnosed with heart disease, as well as their families, and my colleague can not speak highly enough of the work that the Trust does.”