As marathon season nears, stories of true inspiration have been filtering through communities, with many taking part in the Belfast City Marathon having their own special reasons behind doing so.
That's no different for the Magill brothers, who will be taking on the 26.2mile challenge, all while pushing their brother in a wheelchair. Michael Magill, from Belfast, has cerebral palsy and encephalitis, and his condition makes every day tasks extremely challenging.
But speaking to Belfast Live, his brother Dan says with determination, and love, they always find ways to push through those difficulties, and to create "beautiful moments together".
"This marathon is not just about completing a race, it will create a beautiful memory for us to cherish as a family forever," Dan added.
"I and my brother Brendan will run the marathon as a two man relay team this year hoping to push Michael across that finish line on Sunday the 4th of May 2025.
"For the marathon, I’ll be raising funds for Mencap, an incredible charity dedicated to helping children and adults with learning disabilities. I have been working for Mencap since summer 24 and can personally vouch for the amazing work they do.
"Mencap provides essential services and support for individuals like my brother, empowering them and their families to live fuller and more enriched lives. Their work provides vital support to many families of children with extremely complex needs. The service allows these children to experience a wide range of amazing activities while giving much-needed respite to their families.
"This charity is extremely important for the lives of so many individuals with learning disabilities and is solely dependent on fund raising efforts."
Dan, Brendan and Michael have raised closed to £1,000 so far for Mencap, and fundraising is continue right through to the big day on May 4.
He continued: "I’m hoping to raise as much as possible to contribute to the amazing work Mencap does. Every donation, no matter the size, will make a huge difference in helping children with learning disabilities receive the support and care they need to reach their full potential.
"To anyone who has donated so far, their support means the world to me and my family as we take on this challenge together. We want to say a huge thank you to them all, for being part of this journey with us, and for helping us to make a positive impact on the lives of so many, through Mencap."
You can donate to the Mencap fundraiser through this link.
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English (United States) ·