FORMER Mary Peters Trust supported athlete Debbie Marrs has inspired Lady Mary and her Trust to team up with Motor Neurone Disease Association NI to host a special upcoming Gala Dinner to raise much needed funds for both charities.
Debbie, who was British Indoor High Jump Champion in 1988, is living with MND and since her diagnosis has been raising funds for MNDA NI as well as highlighting MND and its impact to the wider public in Northern Ireland.
Stylish event venue Magheramorne Estate near Larne is the venue for the Gala dinner and auction which takes place on Thursday, October 17, 2024. The charity fundraiser will feature sporting guest speakers and musical performances with tickets costing £65 each or £600 for a table of 10. Tickets can be booked through Gillian Hetherington at the Mary Peters Trust, gillian@marypeterstrust.org
Joining Debbie on the organising committee is World Police and Fire Games director Raymond Hill, who like Debbie has been impacted by MND, alongside Jane Allen and her family who own and operate Magheramorne, Lady Mary and representatives from the Mary Peters Trust.
Janet Boyle and Debbie Marrs
Also supporting the event is Debbie’s fellow high Jumper and good friend Janet Boyle who recently returned to Northern Ireland from the USA. Janet competed in the Commonwealth Games at Edinburgh in 1986 securing a bronze medal. She then went on to take a Commonwealth silver in 1990 in Auckland, New Zealand. Janet is also an Olympian competing at the Seoul Games in 1988 taking 12th position in the High Jump overall.
Shortly before Christmas 2023 Debbie raised £8,500 for MNDA NI. Friends, neighbours and family joined together at a local health and fitness centre and did a triathlon – static bikes, swimming pool and running machines. Debbie set out to raise a couple of hundred pounds but ended up with thousands – £8,500 to be precise.
Debbie’s daughter Megan, now 26, has over the years been following in her mum’s footsteps. Megan is also a Mary Peters Trust track and field athlete and is a two-time 60m hurdles gold medallist from the Birmingham hosted British Indoor Athletics Championships in 2018 and 2022.
Debbie says: ‘I’m excited to be involved in creating this special event which will further raise the profile of motor neurone disease in Northern Ireland and additionally generate funds to support people like me and our families as we navigate the impact of MND and pave the way for a better future for all.
“Both my daughter Megan and I have benefitted from Mary Peters Trust funding, and I’m thrilled that half of all cash raised will be equally divided between these wonderful charities.”
Because of her health, Debbie had to sell her early years franchise business. However, she is clear that being positive is central to managing MND. She and a good friend who has a brain tumour share ‘Glimmer’ moments. It’s all about looking for a little glimmer of joy each day of your life. Debbie explains, these moments are there each day no matter what you face. Debbie and her friend share their most significant ‘glimmer of joy’ moment at the end of each day by WhatsApp.
Debbie’s attitude is: “It’s not a matter of I have to get up each day, but rather I get to get up each day – aren’t I lucky.”
Debbie points out that there is a lot of support and help available through the NHS and Marie Curie as well as MNDA NI. Debbie has found that one source of help can open other avenues of help, and she is very appreciative.
Debbie says: “Life goes on and life is for living. Every day is a chance to live.”
Monies raised for MND at the Gala dinner will support specialist nurses, provide research bursaries to universities, and support a range of NI programmes. These include regional roadshows, Carers Days and Afternoon Tea events which enable people affected by MND, their carers and families to get together and share information and tips on where they can source help, positive support, grants and specialist equipment.
Lady Mary Peters said: “Sport promotes good health and wellbeing which is so important for those with a disability. Therefore, there is a natural synergy between our two charities, and I’m really pleased that the Mary Peters Trust and Motor Neurone Disease Association NI are coming together for this standout gala event in the beautiful surroundings of Magheramorne Estate.
“Similar to MNDA NI, funds raised for the Mary Peters Trust will impact local people, providing funds for young athletes to source the best facilities and coaching to reach their goals and potentially win even more Olympic medals to add to the fantastic total generated recently at the Paris 2024 Games.”
Tickets for the Gala dinner and event cost £65 each or £600 for a table of 10. To book contact Gillian Hetherington at the Mary Peters Trust; gillian@marypeterstrust.org
Debbie, Janet and Lady Mary
MNDANI: MND is the name given to a group of related diseases affecting the motor neurones in the brain and spinal cord. It affects people in different ways so no two people will have exactly the same symptoms or experience of MND. MND affects not only the person with the condition but also those close to them. The Northern Ireland Branch of the Motor Neurone Disease Association aims to provide the best possible support to local people with MND, their families and carers. The branch is run entirely by volunteers and offers advice, specialist equipment and ongoing support via meetings and events. It also provides volunteer training, fundraising opportunities and delivers educational and learning opportunities for healthcare professionals.
Mary Peters Trust: Set up in 1975, the Mary Peters Trust supports athletes both in a financial and advisory capacity as there is a huge amount of investment needed to compete at international level. Northern Ireland has a wealth of sporting talent however funding is limited, and Lady Mary Peters started her Trust with an ambition to support young athletes, fuelled by her own challenges when training for the Olympic Games.
