NHS charity goal as Mid-Ulster football club clocks up the miles in May

Mid-Ulster Football League players past and present have signed up to tackle an ambitious charity goal this month under the Bourneview Mill club banner.
Bourneview Mill players past and present - plus supporters of all ages - backing the NHS charity goal.Bourneview Mill players past and present - plus supporters of all ages - backing the NHS charity goal.
Bourneview Mill players past and present - plus supporters of all ages - backing the NHS charity goal.

Members of the Portadown-based outfit ranging in age from 17 to 70 years old will walk, cycle or run towards a combined target of 10,000 kilometres before the end of May in aid of the NHS to the tune of £10,000.

A JustGiving page has been set up to attract financial support on top of the existing backing from friends, family and fans over social media.

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“The response so far has been brilliant, with 55 people signed up and our first weekly total around 2,900 kilometres, so well on target to hit 10,000 by the end of May,” said Bourneview Mill boss Mark Jackson. “My wife heard about the project through work and I jumped on the idea of 10,000 kilometres for £10,000 as a great way to bring the club together at a time without football and all in aid of such a wonderful cause.

“Our goal is to collect the cash then deliver it to Craigavon Area Hospital directly for use in whatever way they need.

“As a club with long-standing roots in the Portadown area and a club with family very much part of our ethos, we felt it was only fitting we did something for the healthcare professionals on our doorstep working so hard for the community and beyond.

“I have a cousin who works at Craigavon hospital and two of our players are doctors in the region, so we are getting plenty of advice and direction.

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“The more support we get the better and anything raised will go straight to Craigavon.

“The wife of another player runs GingerNut Cakes so has been organising raffles, with all proceeds going towards our final figure.

“It’s been a great way to bring so many people together and, of course, ultimately it’s about showing our appreciation and support to the NHS staff.”

Domestic sport may remain on lockdown but Jackson admits the competitive spirit remains as strong as ever within his squad.

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“We were all frustrated with the stop to the season, especially as the team was on a good run of form.” said Jackson. “It was hard keeping everyone together after the lockdown kicked in but we started off with twice-weekly fitness sessions over Zoom.

“But now introducing the charity challenge has really offered the players extra motivation and incentive to post some brilliant times.

“You can see from the stats over the first week how dedicated we have all been, so that’s a great start...with more to come.

“It has also been brilliant craic over WhatsApp, with the messages flying.

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“You can see if someone posts a time for a run or cycle others jump on trying to beat it and it is a great way to maintain fitness levels as well as keeping up the team spirit.

“Mark Boyce was running our Zoom physical fitness training each Tuesday and Thursday but we’ve changed it now to one session on a Wednesday for the duration of the May charity push.

“As manager, I’ve been impressed by the times posted so far and to beat our first-week target was a great starting point.”

Jackson also highlights the extended support to the charity cause beyond the changing room.

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“It is about so much more than the players or management team, Bourneview has always been a club with a real emphasis on family, it is something people comment on very quickly after joining us,” said Jackson. “The committee members and people around the club are so keen to make you feel welcome and do anything possible to help - with that now extended into the May challenge.

“We’ve had older members of the club getting out and walking to help towards our overall goal and then to see that dedication is great for everyone, on top of the joking around between us all.

“Bourneview is a great club for young and old mixing and also you can see from the messages how people are using it to get out and exercise as a family.

“I’ve two young boys and bring them out with me on a walk or cycle and know other families have been doing the same.

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“It all started off with word of mouth and social media messages but the response is really encouraging and shows what a special club we have at Bourneview.

“We wanted to set a tough challenge to keep the guys motivated and give everyone something to really work towards.

“We are all pushing hard to try and do everything possible to reach our goals, financially and physically.

“It has been a brilliant experience but it’s about doing all we can to support the NHS and Craigavon hospital.”

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To support the Bourneview Mill charity fundraiser visit the JustGiving page https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/bourneviewmill-footballclub

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