Jim Peacock, alongside staff and volunteers from Youth Matters, are excited to be taking on the Belfast Marathon in May! Jim is a Youth Officer for Belfast & South Eastern Trust for the Youth Matters Project. The project runs youth clubs, social activities and inclusive programmes for young people with autism, physical disabilities and acquired brain injury. The aim is to create fun and safe environments for young people to develop social skills and also supports access to mainstream programmes in their local areas.

Jim said, ‘We were looking for a fun way to fundraise and the Belfast Marathon seemed like a great opportunity to do this. It also gives us an opportunity to also celebrate the dedicated Youth Matters team and highlight the work of the fantastic young people on the programme.” He continued:

“We have a great team of staff and volunteers working on Youth Matters and getting the marathon team together has helped to strengthen the group. I feel this marathon effort has created a great team spirit.”

The team is made up of people with different levels of running experience. Jim explained:

“Our marathon team has a variety of experience from seasoned “Park Run” enthusiasts and people who have done legs of the marathon several times, to people who are having their first experience running. Personally, this is my first-time training and taking part in an event like this. It’s exciting and still doesn’t feel like it’s really going to happen but I’m sure the nerves will kick in when it starts to get closer.”

The team members preparing in a variety of ways. One participates in training every Saturday morning at the Park Run in Malone Park, while others have committed to swimming, cycling and hiking to boost stamina. Jim has taken to running laps around Ormeau Park and Stranmillis Embankment which he feels are both beautiful places to run and are also close to his office in Ravenhill Reach.

“I go to the Belfast Marathon every year to cheer on the runners so I am excited to see what it’s like from a different perspective. There’s always a great atmosphere in Ormeau Park during the marathon so I’m looking forward to finishing my leg there and celebrating with the rest of the fantastic Youth Matters team.”

We would like to wish Jim and his team the very best in their goal of completing the Belfast marathon and thank them for raising money for Cedar. Jim said:

“Thank you so much to the people who have supported and encouraged us already and please if you can, come out and support the Youth Matters @ Cedar Foundation team on Marathon day, Sunday 5^th May.”

If you would like to find out more about the team or donate visit their Just Giving page by following this link: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/youth-matters.

You’ll also be able to keep up to date with our marathon team’s journey on Cedar’s Facebook and Twitter pages.