Nessie to tackle Belfast Marathon

In preparation for the event, Nessie has covered four miles a day with her dog Albert - although he has no personal ambition to enter the race.

Nessie has worked as a development officer with British Lung Foundation Northern Ireland for 18 months.

Ten years ago she founded the local support group, Breathe Easy Causeway, which has gone from strength to strength over the decade that followed. In 2010 she was awarded an MBE for her services to respiratory health.

Nessie recently sourced funding for six COPD programmes across Northern Ireland, which will help sufferers of COPD to adapt and cope with their condition. She also secured funding for a hugely successful British Lung Foundation campaign, which recently visited each health trust across Northern Ireland for the first time. The ‘Love Your Lungs’ campaign aimed to find those suffering from COPD without knowing it and ensure they have the information they need to take back control.

This is the third time Nessie has entered the Belfast Marathon. It further shows her exceptional commitment to improving respiratory health and well-being in Northern Ireland.

Nessie said: “I’m looking forward to doing the Belfast Marathon again. There’s such a positive atmosphere on the day.

“The training has been quite a commitment, but it’s all worth it in the end.

“I see first hand the difference that the British Lung Foundation makes to the lives of people with respiratory conditions in Northern Ireland. It’s remarkable. I want to do everything I can to support the continuation of that help.

“If anyone would like to sponsor me, you can do so by logging onto: www.justgiving.com/Nessie-Blair. It’s also nice to have a bit of support on the day, so I really hope people coming along to cheer us on!