Nikki and Michael Black climb Muckish through the thick fog.
LAST week I mentioned that I have been working on various projects over the past number of weeks.
One of those projects involves a collaboration between the National Athlete Development Academy, or NADA as it is more commonly known and Fighting Fit For Ewing’s.
I have mentioned NADA to you before and I am delighted to be able to share our plans with you. We will be launching a competition within the Greater Dublin Area to find a suitable candidate who will participate in a rigorous training programme, generously donated by NADA, which will span over a three month period.
The chosen candidate will be someone who has suffered a setback to their health and who would truly benefit from this package.
They will take part in a physical challenge at the end of the three months and I will also participate in the same challenge here in Donegal.
Training in NADA and my own training in Donegal will be documented and posted on social media. We are hoping to launch the competition in November so if you know of anyone in Dublin who would benefit from this prize, please get in touch.
The purpose of this contest is to highlight the importance of exercise for those dealing with a chronic illness. It will also help to spread the Fighting Fit For Ewing’s message outside of Donegal which is important.
I am so excited about this and cannot wait for the launch. I love the idea of giving someone else the same opportunities I have been given and I will be interested to see how this programme changes their outlook on life. It sounds cheesy to say that exercise is that powerful but it really is true!
MUCKISH ANNIVERSARY
Next month marks the anniversary of our six hour climb up Muckish. I cannot believe a year has passed so quickly! I was putting some pictures together for this column a couple of days ago and I took a moment to think back over everything.
The campaign has grown so much in the past twelve months it is hard to believe the progress we have made. To celebrate this I have decided to dig out my hiking boots once more.
What better way to round off a good year than to throw yourself up a mountain! My trainers Michael (Black) and Aoife (McGill) are going to accompany me along with some friends and campaign supporters. We have decided to climb Errigal instead of Muckish as I have never climbed it before and feel it will be a greater challenge.
I am a little apprehensive I won’t lie. I have heard that the ground is quite marshy to begin with which could be a problem and the descent will definitely be tricky.
I am also worried my shiny new crutches will get destroyed! But, I survived much worse conditions last year so I’m sure it will be fine. I just hope the weather is a little better than last year! I will be writing a full account of our experience next week so stay tuned.
All smiles after completing the tough Muckish climb.
Nikki Bradley is the founder of Fighting Fit For Ewing’s, a campaign to promote awareness of Ewing’s Sarcoma. Nikki is sponsored by All Sports in Donegal Town. Support her campaign by giving ‘Fighting Fit For Ewing’s’ a LIKE on Facebook or follow her on Twitter @nikkibradley59
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