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Learning Disability Services staff to run the Belfast City Marathon

26/04/2023

Pictured are the two relay team participants Sean Magee, Carla Muldoon, Wendy Bonner, Zoe Thompson, Brenda Keaney and Mary Irvine, Andrea Campbell, Tanya Benson – not in picture, Debbie Connor and Dorothy Jordan.

Good luck to Learning Disability Services staff who have laced up their running shoes to take part in the Mash Direct Belfast City Marathon on Sunday 30 April 2023.  The Team of 10 colleagues have been training over the past number of months with some members completing their first Couch25K programme to help raise funds for sensory equipment that will complement new Sensory Suite located in the Emergency Department at the South West Acute Hospital, Enniskillen.

Andrea Campbell, Behaviour Support Worker, Adult Mental Health and Disability Services based at Coleshill explained:

“Patients with a learning disability can often find it very difficult to cope in noisy, overstimulating, busy environments such as Emergency Departments, cubicles and waiting rooms. We are delighted that the Trust has commenced the development of a Sensory Suite in the South West Acute Hospital to support adults and children with learning disabilities.

“In an effort to support this further 10 colleagues from Learning Disability Services have taken on the challenge of completing the Belfast City Marathon in two Relay Teams and we set an ambitious target to raise £10,000 through our GoFundMe page and sponsorship forms along with donations made through quizzes, raffle, coffee mornings and collection buckets etc.   This will help to fund sensory equipment which will be accessible throughout the hospital for those we support within our roles in the Adult Learning Disability Service and the wider community.

We are very grateful for the support of our colleagues and the local community in helping us raise funds for sensory equipment. This equipment will help staff to deliver safe and effective care to patients with learning disabilities and the wider community as they attend A&E, inpatient and outpatient appointments, day procedures, dental appointments and have clinical procedures carried out. Sensory suites and sensory equipment have been proven to make the journey through appointments or hospital stays easier and less distressing for adults and children with learning disabilities.”

For more information or to make a donation please go to: https://gofund.me/b32e3db5