Follow in footsteps of top fundraisers

Academy pupils William Hanna and Helen Neill were awarded the Bronze Boot Award and joined with 200 other pupils to raise 2,150 during their schooldays back in 1980.

Action MS, Northern Ireland’s leading multiple sclerosis charity, this year celebrates 30 years of walking and is inviting the children of yesteryear to take a walk down memory lane.

Action MS hope that many walkers will be joined by their children and grandchildren to once again take steps in support of a worthy cause.

Speaking at the launch Action MS Chief Executive, Ann Walker said, “The Walk for MS has enjoyed the support of the whole community. In the past thirty years thousands of children and adults have taken steps to help people with multiple sclerosis. It’s an amazing record of commitment and support from one generation to another.”

The past thirty years has seen schoolchildren from many local primary and secondary schools across the Banbridge District join in a Walk for MS.

A Banbridge Academy school magazine dated June 1981 recorded that over 200 pupils had joined Action MS at Gosford Forest Park on 28 April 1980 for a ten-mile sponsored walk.

Ms Walker added, “So far the “Walk for MS” fund-raisers have clocked up more than a million miles. We want to say thank you to all those who have supported the event over the years and at the same time encourage a new generation to get involved and to start walking for MS.”

Action MS Patron and Tyrone GAA Manager Mickey Harte will lead the first walk at Drum Manor Forest Park, Cookstown on Saturday March 6 at 1pm.

The second walk is at Gosford Forest Park, Markethill on Saturday March 13 at 1pm with special guest TV & Radio personality John Daly.Entry forms and full details are now available from Action MS, Knockbracken Healthcare Park, Saintfield Road, Belfast Tel: (028) 907 907 07 or visit www.actionms.co.uk.