Whites Academy members take on sponsored walk

They were proclaimed as “Three Stooges” but ended up as three somewhat tired but successful, delighted, Lisburn Distillery Academy committee members and Whites’ supporters who successfully completed a 20 mile sponsored walk on Saturday on behalf of Lisburn Mayor’s nominated charity, Marie Curie Cancer Care, and the club’s academy.
A successful end to a long walk (l-r), Ged Irwin, Colin Hopkins (Lisburn Distillery), the Mayor of Lisburn, Andrew Ewing, David Irwin, Wilbert McFetridge (Lisburn Distillery) and Simon Wragg. Picture-David Hunter.A successful end to a long walk (l-r), Ged Irwin, Colin Hopkins (Lisburn Distillery), the Mayor of Lisburn, Andrew Ewing, David Irwin, Wilbert McFetridge (Lisburn Distillery) and Simon Wragg. Picture-David Hunter.
A successful end to a long walk (l-r), Ged Irwin, Colin Hopkins (Lisburn Distillery), the Mayor of Lisburn, Andrew Ewing, David Irwin, Wilbert McFetridge (Lisburn Distillery) and Simon Wragg. Picture-David Hunter.

It certainly wasn’t a stroll in the park for Simon Wragg, Ged Irwin and David Irwin as they set out at 7.30am to complete their walk to all the NIFL Championship 1 grounds in the Greater Belfast Area.

The day started at Breda Park (Knockbreda FC) before the trio headed downhill to Tillysburn (Harland and Wolff Welders FC) and then back up to Wilgar Park (Dundela FC). From there it was then across Belfast to New Forge Lane (PSNI) then the tough uphill trek to Donegal Celtic Park (Donegal Celtic Park) before the “short” 4 mile journey to New Grosvenor Stadium.

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And they did it in just over seven hours to make it back to New Grosvenor Stadium in time to take in Lisburn Distillery’s opening day win over Knockbreda. Before the game they were warmly welcomed home by the Mayor of Lisburn, Andrew Ewing, who also took in the game, as well as by club officials and supporters.

Reflecting on the journey, Simon Wragg said; “The first highlight was hitting DC (Donegal Celtic) where we were made very

welcome and Paul McAreavey made us a cup of tea which was nice.

“The general highlight was hitting the ground here and being welcomed by the Mayor, club officials and supporters. We were stopped on the way by people who were asking what we were doing the walk for and giving us cash donations which were appreciated. It was a challenge, something totally different, something new, raising money for the Mayors’ charity and some money for the academy too to buy training gear and new balls and stuff.”

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David Irwin added; “I enjoyed everything about it apart from walking downhill at Suffolk Road - walking with the other two was

really enjoyable and we kept each other going. It was good meeting up with the people at DC and whilst it was a relief reaching McIlroy Park other than that it was okay.”

But it was David’s father, Ged, who had the last say on a memorable and successful event. When asked about his highlight he answered; “The amount of money we raised; we set ourselves a target of £1000 and we will exceed that so we are absolutely delighted. The old boy found it easy so he did; they had to keep up with me! I could have walked another three or four hours, the only part I found difficult was Shaws Road and the Glen Road where we had to go up hills but apart from that it was a Saturday morning stroll!”

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