Moira doc’s on the run for Charlene’s Project

Dr Peter Spence is getting all geared up for the Dublin Marathon later this month.

As Dr Spence completes his arduous training preparation for running the 26.2 miles of pain along the historic streets of Dublin City, he is encouraged by the support he is receiving from colleagues, friends and patients in his Moira practice.

“I have been training for several months, following a demanding training plan, gradually increasing weekly road mileage, in readiness for the big challenge,” he said.

“Catherine my wife and family have been very supportive during all the hours of preparation and recovery. I am so pleased with the response from patients who have been donating generously to this worthy cause.”

Charlene’s Project was established by Charlene Barr in 2009 while she was waiting for a double lung transplant. Charlene had to drop out of school due to failing health and she made the decision to fundraise to build a school in Uganda so children there would have the chance of an education.

Charlene died in October 2010 but her project continues the work she started.

“It is incredible to see Kahara Primary School, where children were being taught in a mud hut and under the trees in 2012, now a thriving school with over 400 children, in new buildings and with a borehole bringing clean water to the school and local community,” said Charlene’s father Dr Dickie Barr, who works alongside Dr Spence in Moira Surgery.

“It’s all provided through money raised by those who supported Charlene’s vision.”

Dickie who took a team to Uganda this July highlighted the need in the Kahara community in western Uganda, one of the communities Charlene’s Project supports.

“The people in this community have so little of the things we take for granted,” he said. “Women die in childbirth and too many children do not make their fifth birthday dying from preventable causes such as malaria, gastroenteritis and chest infections.

“We have been able to build classrooms, put in a borehole for clean water, provide agricultural support and are now working on health promotional programmes and resources to improve community health.

“I so much appreciate Dr Spence’s efforts on behalf of Charlene’s Project. The staff and patients continue to be so supportive of the work we are doing through Charlene’s Project in Uganda. All the money raised by Dr Spence will be used for health development in this Kahara community in western Uganda”.

The Surgery staff previously ran the Belfast Marathon relay in May.

If you would like to sponsor Dr Spence you can do so online mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/peterspence.

If you would like to find out more about Charlene’s Project, Dr Barr can be contacted at [email protected].