Hastings Sisters Run NYC For Hospice

Two Northern Ireland hoteliers are limbering up to take part in this weekend's New York marathon, having already raised over £5,000 for local charities.

Sisters and Hastings Hotels directors Allyson McKimm and Aileen Martin will leave the lobby behind to pound 26 miles across the Big Apple in aid of NI Children's Hospice, Down Cathedral and Comber Crosslink.

The women, (pictured here with UTV's Julian Simmons at a fund-raiser) are running as part of a five-strong team, and said the Hospice provides "invaluable" practical and emotional support to families throughout the province.

"We haven't been affected by the grief of knowing a family member in hospice care - but can't imagine anything worse," said Ms Martin.

"We are running for a local charity established by local people, for local people living in Northern Ireland."

Ms McKimm said the idea to run the NYC stretch came after an unusual encounter at the Belfast Marathon.

"I got chatting to a rather portly man at the 10 mile point and soon found myself eating his dust. His parting words were 'If you are going to do it for a charity – do it for Northern Ireland Hospice'.

"I don't know his name, but he certainly made an impact. I thought if he could do it, I could do it and I would do it for the Hospice."

The Hastings team has so far raised a total of £5,250 through fundraising events, most recently hosting a stylish coffee and cupcake morning at Belfast's Stormont Hotel.

Caroline Greer, fundraiser for the Hospice charity, lauded the team's efforts so far.

"Training for a marathon is a mammoth task and even more so when you are juggling work commitments too.

"Hospice is really grateful to Allyson, Aileen and their team mates for choosing us as one of their nominated charities for the New York marathon."

Each year NI Hospice aims to raise over £5m by coordinating fundraising events.

(PR/KMcA)